I left it there earlier tonight without thinking.
He picks it up, examines it, then looks at me.
“Why aren’t you wearing this?”
My heart goes full hummingbird.
I swallow.
This is it.
I remind myself:no more lies.
If I don’t say it now, I never will.
“I thought I mentioned this already,” I say, trying to sound casual. “Keith and I…we’re broken up.”
He blinks. Then again. His jaw slackens.
“Come again?”
I look back down at my beer notes. “Keith and I are broken up.”
“You haven’t mentioned this at all.” His voice tightens. “When did this happen?”
“When he decided to go to Washington D.C. and stop answering my texts and calls.”
A silence falls between us. I see the picture of the two of us on the mantel and look away quickly.
“This… is big news,” Daddy says, his tone turning hard. “And no, you most certainlydid nottell me. Neither did Keith.”
“I’ll be okay,” I say gently. “Honestly? I think it’s for the best.”
He stares at me, baffled. “Faith… what? No. A relationship like y’all have isn’t something you just back out of. Marriage is hard work. It’s not always supposed to be easy.”
“I know that. But I wasn’t the one who walked away, Daddy.”
“I’m calling Mr. Stinson first thing tomorrow.”
“Please, don’t.”
His voice sharpens. “Faith Abigail. We’re in bad shape. Preaching has never paid the bills and you know that. If we don’t pull through with that restaurant expansion?—”
“Really? The restaurant is yournumber oneconcern right now? Not yourdaughter?”
That lands. He stiffens.
“This is just… a shock,” he mutters.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
He studies me. “Yeah. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Then turns to go up the stairs.
“I love you, Daddy,” I say softly.
He pauses on the first step. “Yeah. I love you too.”
As his footsteps fade, I exhale for what feels like the first time all night.
