liv

of a phone call. Awes

anks for the reall

“You liked it?

f Victoria’s secret lingerie. Among the most out

and my success really depend o

be an i

now how these things are. I’

get used to it. Everyone wears a

. Thanks,

welco

aybe I could ask Leah to le

es

me some… Never mind.” I d

an I lend

tor,” I said, chuckling

t. Come on,

s no—” I saw Dad walking into

went on to tur

ll before she could protest. I watched Dad pour hims

home late

out with Lea

was

how the day went, but I didn’t. I could sense the

ad

knew something was wrong but my words got s

indicating that h

e a word with

set in. My mind wandered on the very many possibiliti

ofa beside me.

even as the nerves were

did that, it showed that something was amiss. “I want to ap

eeing him berate himself. I couldn’t see him blame himself const

d. He took his eyes from me and stared straight off. Something was going on in his mind, and

and got to him. I took his hand on mine.

d at me

a problem. I could give you…” Th

buried his face on his han

usion. A hard fr

face, I could see how red he ha

e tell me you'

ou talking

inding it hard to swa

?” I said, fearing that he h

nd rubbing his palms together, he looked

hatever it is, please.” I said,

throat. “I used yo

re I got what he said

he said. “For loan. I u

laugh. “Is that the problem? Come on, Dad. You promised me you

via. As bad as I want this to be a drea

are you ta

m me and began crying. Hi

r disbelief. “Wh