Page 214

“I don’t have any memories of her.”

“Did she…die?”

“No, she left when I was a baby.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t tell my dad, she just left.”

“Without a word?”

“I guess.”

We sit in silence for a moment. I know she wants more details, but I don’t have any to give. That’s literally it. My dad was blindsided. According to him, he had a family when he went to sleep next to his girlfriend, but by morning, he was a single father.

“Maybe she’ll come around like my dad did.”

Thomas Stack didn’t come around. He was intimidated.

But to keep the hope I see in her eyes from dimming, I make myself say, “Maybe.”

“Why did your dad lie to you?”

“About what?”

“The characters.”

She doesn’t get it either. And she probably never will.

“Because he knew we’d never make it to the real Disney.”

“Never?” Kota’s voice is loaded with disbelief. “What does your dad do?”

“Analysis,” I say as calmly as possible.

“What does he analyze?”

“All kinds of shit.”

“For who? One company? Multiple?”

“Yeah.” I add a shrug, then a nonchalant, “Whoever.”

Her scrutinizing stare has me seriously regretting this game.

“My turn,” I say suddenly. “Did you fuck around with anyone else while you were on tour?”

“Uh.” Kota kinda stutters out from the abrupt change in topic.

It’s not fun being in the hot seat, is it?

“What…kind of question is that?”

The kind that’s been driving me crazy.

“You weren’t with Guy, right?”

“Righ—”