“I should’ve told you sooner.”
“It’s okay. I’m sorry, too.” He shook his head. “Dang it. I see how the way I’ve acted has made it harder to talk to me. I’ve been an idiot.”
I promised to be honest with him. He promised to let me have bad days.
My hair had fallen out of my pony tail so I reached up to fix it. Jack caught my hand.
“What the—”
I sniffled and laughed through the tears, holding my hand out for him to view my ring.
He shook his head, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. “I mean, you said it was beautiful, but that’s some rock.”
“Thank you. He did good.”
He turned to Pat and shook his hand. “He sure did.”
When we were leaving, Jack held Pat behind. I didn’t turn, but I heard what they said.
“She seems really happy with you.”
“I’m crazy about her.”
“It shows.” Jack took a deep breath. “I was wrong about you. And I’m sorry.”
“Ah, no big deal.”
“Gonna have a brother soon, I guess.”
“I’ve never had one of those.”
Jack pulled him in for a shoulder-clap hug, and I smiled.
FIFTY-SEVEN
Sunny
Iwasn’t sure why I agreed to meeting again. As far as Pat was concerned, I’d made up my mind. But Debbie said Pat and Jules had persistently requested to meet. I wanted to say no, but I also wanted to see my dad. It had been a while, and I missed him. Wanted to see him one more time.
Even if he was mad at me.
I sat in the visitation room, twisting the strap of my book bag. Rolling it up then flicking it open again. I heard Pat’s voice in the hall. I braced myself for his disappointed face. I really didn’t want to see him mad at me, but it beat not seeing him again at all.
The door opened and Pat walked in, holding Jules’ hand. Pat’s smile took me off guard. I didn’t expect to see him so happy.
“Sunny!” He reached for me. Before my brain had time to agree, my arms reached back. He pulled me into the biggest, tightest hug. “I missed you. You wouldn’t even believe how much.”
When he let go, I said, “You have a beard.”
“Jules wouldn’t let me shave it.”
“I like it.”
Jules hugged me too. “Hi, sweetie, we’ve missed you.” She held me at arm’s length. “You look beautiful. This green shirt is perfect with your hair!” Her saying that made me blush a bit. I tried to look extra nice for today, and I’ve always thought green looked good on me.
They settled close together on the couch. She was wearing a big, shimmery ring. I guess he asked her to marry him. Jules was a lucky lady because my dad was a pretty spectacular guy.
“What happened to your foot?” I pointed at her boot.
