I should definitely leave now, but my feet seem to be nailed to the floor.
“That I’m a disaster. That I have no one, that…” her voice drops. “That I’m pathetic.”
“She never mentioned anything,” he says, calmly.
“Did she tell you why I’ve been lumped withhim?”
“Him?”
“My dad.”
I try to ignore the disappointment in her tone.
“She asked me if I’d mind helping out a new student who’s just moved here from another county. A bright, intelligent girl who just needed to get her studies back on track.”
“She said that?”
He nods, smiling at her. “She told me that you have a big imagination and that you’re creative. She said you’re good at writing stories.”
“What would she know about it?”
Carter clears his throat. “She told me about your graphic novels.”
Skylar’s mouth hangs open.
“She found them online and told me that they’re beautiful. I’ve read some of them.”
“Youwhat?”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, my God!” She covers her face with her hands.
“I think they’re amazing.”
“No, they’re not.”
“And I think you’re amazing, too. Please, don’t hit me.”
Does the fact that I’m laughing and crying at the same time make me a shitty father? Maybe I’m only shitty because I’m still spying on them. But I need to know who my daughter’s hanging out with, don’t I?
“That’s bullshit!” Skylar cries, harshly; but her tone gives her away.
“It’s not. But if you want it to be, then that’s fine.”
I really like this kid.
“I think you’re beautiful,” he says, gaining courage now. “You’re intelligent, and unique.”
I watch as my daughter smiles in embarrassment.
“And you’re talented, too.”
“Do you really think so?”
He nods.
My daughter considers this for a few moments.
