The only family Tucker and I had was his gram. I had no idea if the father I met—if he would even talk to me—would be worthy of a moment like I’d seen.
But maybe I had other people out there connected to me. Mother must have had parents. My father, too. A whole trove of aunts, uncles, and cousins could be wondering what happened to me.
My mother didn’t know where I was, and I didn’t want her, anyway. Even grandparents and cousins on her side might be risky, as they’d clue her in to my whereabouts.
My father might be better. Until Tucker’s push, I’d chosen not to try.
But I wanted the answer to why he left. I would ask him if Mother drove him away. Maybe she kept him from me through some sort of threat, and he was miserable, too. I wanted to watch his face for the truth or the lie.
Maybe we could be like Rita and her father. Despite the conflict, the past upset, we could find a way to be family. Maybe like Tucker and his dad, we could find something in common.
Tucker sat beside me as I wrote an email to the address listed on Dad’s business website. I kept it simple. No accusations. Nothing about Mother. Just that I was living on my own. And I would be in Houston soon. Was he willing to meet?
When I thought I had it right, I hitsend.
We expected it to be hours or even days before we heard back, so we were both shocked when apingsounded only minutes later.
It was him. Marcus Roberts.
I glanced over at Tucker. “I don’t know if I can read it.”
“Should I look at it first?”
I nodded and leaned against his shoulder, watching his face.
He clicked it open and his eyes moved from side to side as he read.
Then he smiled.
I sat up. “What?”
“He asks when you can come.”
My eyes burned as I took the laptop to see the words for myself.
My dearest sweet Ava,
I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. I tried to find you when you turned eighteen, but your mother only ever sent me a PO Box for the checks. Then you ran away. I’m happy to initiate this any way you like. Email. A phone call. And by all means,please come to visit. I can absolutely see you the weekend you are in Houston. Nothing is more important.
Dad
He’d been waiting.
I squeezed Tucker’s hand, unable to speak.
I was going to meet my father.
Mydad.
CHAPTER 32
Tucker
I never imagined the first road trip I took with a girl would involve Gram driving the car, but here we were.
Ava had never been outside of Austin, at least not in her current memory, so she was fascinated by all the scenes we took for granted. She sat in the front passenger seat, pointing out everything from billboards to pump jacks.
Her chatter filled the car. “How many miles have we gone? How long would it take if we were walking?”
