"I know I make you happy. Why do you care what he thinks?" Theo argues.
"Well, I sure care how you're talking about him like his opinion means nothing."
"His opiniondoesmean nothing."
My level of frustration is about to match his, maybe even surpass it.
"What is so wrong with my dad?"
"We're not talking about this." Theo's pacing again, and with each stride, he kicks up bits of sand that cling to my legs.
"What is it? We all know you don't like him."
"Amelia, just stop."
"Did he hurt you?" I question.
"No."
"Did he hurt your mom?"
"No. Can you stop? We're not doing this. Not here and not now."
"Did he say something horrible about your dad?"
"No."
"Then what is it?" I’m running out of plausible reasons. "You've never liked him. It's been apparent from day one. Does he have some addiction I'm unaware of? Gambling? Alcoholism?"
"No, Amelia, stop."
"Did he cheat?"
"Yes!" Theo shouts.
"Oh my God, he cheated on your mom?"
"No," he pauses. "He cheated onyourmom. Our parents were having an affair long before they met at the support group."
I feel sick. I'm going to throw up.
"Fuck, Amelia. Why did you go there? You were never supposed to know."
Theo grabs a huge rock and heaves it into the air. The sound it makes when it hits the ocean is muffled. My world is spinning, and every sense is failing me.
"You're lying," I whimper, unaware I've begun to cry. Tears are running down my cheeks, and I can barely see. Theo is a blur as I back away. He steps toward me but I wave him off.
"No. Do not come near me."
"Amelia..."
"Where's the proof?" I shout, certain Theo has nothing substantial to back up his accusations.
"My dad sent a letter to my mom and said he couldn't handle the news of her affair, and that he was extending his contract. We didn't get it until a month after he died, and I intercepted it in the mail before my mom had a chance to read it."
Theo's crying with me, tears running down our cheeks like there's an endless supply we had on reserve for this exact moment.
"No one knows I know except you."
