CHAPTER 4

A couple days later mom gets a call from Aunt Susan saying Uncle Roger has to take a two-day trip to the VA, leaving her alone. Mom hops in the car to visit. It’s just Charlie and I alone.

We get through the day together, mostly doing our best to ignore one another. It’s amazing how well my stepdad is at acting like nothing happened.

But then something does happen.

It’s nighttime and he’s sitting downstairs in the living room, enjoying an old paperback while drinking fine whiskey. I come into the room, playfully rub my arm over the couch, give him eyes.

He doesn’t bother looking up...