There’s no way he’s serious. No parent should do this to their child. Kenneth has spent years working his ass off to be at the top of his class, setting his sights on working to change the lives of people like Nan. All Kenneth has ever wanted from his dad is love and support, and Theo continues to give him the complete opposite.
He clears his throat and continues. “It would be tough without them, but not impossible, and I had it all planned out. Financial aid, moving out of the house he pays for, getting two jobs. It was all going to work out.”
“What changed?” I ask.
Kenneth’s eyes land on the photo of Nan by his desk. “He told me that while Nan may own Lake Anita, he’s the one that pays the bills. I didn’t know that. I thought Nan… I don’t know what I was thinking, but I didn’t think he’d threaten to sell it.” Anger radiates from him as he stands and starts to pace back and forth across the carpet. “It’ll be gone, Eddie. All of it. The dock. The lake. The place where Nan taught me to swim. The place Cade and I grew up. Where it all started for us.”
My hand flies to cover my mouth. Lake Anita is Kenneth’s soft spot. It’s the place he cares most about because it’s part of him, and his father is threatening to take it all away.
“That’s fucked,” is all I can manage.
He gives me a weak laugh. “So fucked.”
The curse word leaving his lips makes both of us laugh for real, breaking some of the tension in the room. Kenneth comes back toward me and kneels between my legs. Looking at him hurts every part of me. His eyes are so somber that I have to close mine to keep myself from crying for him.
“I hope you can forgive me for not telling you sooner. I’m sorry, Eddie.I’m so sorry.”
I want to tell him that I don’t feel upset or slighted. I’m sad. Sad for the loss that he will have to deal with no matter what decision he makes. His passions or the place he calls home. All semester he held onto the pressure of this ultimatum while acing his classes, being a star in the pool, and working hard for an internship he knew he might never get to complete.
“Apology accepted, but not needed.” I guide him up and bring him onto the mattress with me, lying on my back with his head on my chest. “You’ve got to do what’s best for you, Gray. Not your dad. Not me. Not anybody else. Because you’re the one affected by this decision. Just remember that no matter what path you choose, I’ll be right here by your side. I’m not going anywhere.”
For the first time all night, his heartbeat slows, dulling to a soft thud against my hip. “You promise?” he asks.
I choose the three-word phrase I know is safe to say and hook our pinkies.
“The biggest promise.”
Chapter Forty-One
My Google search onhow to steal property and suing a parent for emotional damage came up short once again, so I’m back at square one.
My home or my dream.
I sink into Nan’s leather chair and prop my feet onto the coffee table, which sends our partially-done puzzle to the ground. Nan enters her room with a wheeze, which would worry me if she hadn’t just finished physical therapy. Copper hair is pulled into a ponytail at the top of her head like one of those adorable troll dolls, flopping as she shakes her head at me.
“Kenny Boy! I’ve been working on that for weeks!” She strides toward her mini fridge with ease, and I can’t help but smile at the progress she’s made since moving into Eberly Assisted Living.
I bend over to pick up the pieces of gorgeous bluebonnets and rolling green hills, placing them in the box. “It’s less than five hundred pieces. You used to put these together in no time.”
“Yeah, but that was back when I wasn’t blind as a bat and my temper wasn’t as short. Being old is really killing my vibe.” She lets out a yelp as she stretches her back. “How’s my girl doing?”
I smile for the first time all day, thinking of my beautiful girlfriend. “She’s okay. Mostly oscillating between letting me come to terms with everything and threatening to go down to Bryan and talk to Theo herself. But with the gala tomorrow night, she has been busy with last-minute touches.”
She grunts, falling into the seat beside me. “Wow, is it already that time? Your junior year really flew by. Have you gotten your internship letters?”
“Not yet. Dr. Martin said the committee needed extra time. We should get them tomorrow before the gala.”
Regardless of the winner, we’ve already decided to go to the gala together, which, of course, doesn’t feel like a punishment to either of us. I don’t mind fetching Mallory those little quiches all night. As long as she’s beside me, I’ll be happy.
With one last smile, Nan asks the question I wanted to avoid. “What are you going to do, Fishie?”
I shrug, sinking deeper into the couch. “No clue.”
“You only have a few days left. What’s holding you back from making a decision?” she continues.
“So many things. Lake Anita isourhome. If it’s gone, what’s left?”
Nan falls silent, seemingly mulling everything over. After a moment, she says, “The memories. That’s what is left.”
