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Tim walks me out of the restaurant. “Hey. Maybe we can be friends, huh? Actual friends.”

“Sure.” I nod, even though I’m going to have to give that one some thought. There’s a hint of sadness in him as I head to my car that tells me he’s not expecting much.

It’s a problem for another time. Right now, I owe someone an apology. There’s a new urgency driving me, and I can’t move my feet fast enough.

The downtown parking garages charge money on Fridays and Saturday nights, so I saved a few bucks by grabbing a spot in an alley near Belle Argo Bank and Trust. The street lighting is minimal, because most nights nobody’s here this late. Farther into downtown there are people laughing and stumbling out of bars, but right here it’s only the echo of my big feet on the pavement.

Probably why I’m feeling so unsettled. Missing Mike, missing Ella. The dark.

The night is warming up, prompting me to slide off my jacket on the way. My mind is on what I ought to say to Mike when I apologize. Half-distracted, I’m juggling the jacket and my phone while checking all my pockets to figure out where I stuck my keys.

I’m almost to my car when I hear a scuffing sound. A pebble skipping past my foot draws my attention, right before there’s a click beside my head.

“I think it’s time we clear some things up, Son.”

Fuck. Fuck.

I knew my father had a gun. I heard the click. Still, it’s a surprise when I turn to see him aiming right at me. “You’re going to shoot me?”

Swear to God, I’ve lived my life in a constant state of fear since the day Ella was born. Right now, though? I’m strangely, eerily calm.

“We had an agreement,” my father says. “I’ve been waiting but you haven’t delivered.”

“Yeah, and I said I couldn’t get money like that fast. Turns out, in fact, I can’t get it at all. Now, you’re going to leave me alone, or I’m going to call the police. Your choice.”

My thumb is already hovering over my phone screen, ready to do exactly what I’ve said.

“Your daughter⁠—”

“You threaten my daughter again, I’ll kill you with my bare fucking hands.” I drop my jacket to the ground. My freed hand curls into a fist. “I’ve forgiven you for a lot, but if you hurt my little girl, that’s something I can’t let go.”

Those childhood memories of feeding ducks with my father or going out for pancakes give way to his foot hitting my ribs. A beer can barely missing my head. He can’t say shit my kid and think he’ll get away clean.

The bastard laughs. “I don’t think you will. If you were going to kill me, you would have.”

“There’s nothing I won’t do for her.”

“And yet I’m still here.”

He’s right. I’ve let my sentimentality get the best of me. That’s over now. “Whatever money I have, I need that for her. You’re going to have to figure something else out.”

“I don’t think you understand how serious this is.” His hand trembles a bit, which should maybe worry me.

This isn’t the man I remember from my childhood. In fact, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen him. But I’m different now, too.

“I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand.” I bring my hand up to knock away the gun. It skitters to a stop on the ground, disappearing into the shadows alongside the bank. My brain buzzes the way it used to when I was in the zone during a game. Now that he’s unarmed, I pull out my phone. “I’m calling the police.”

Which is when he runs straight at me.

“You fucking ingrate. I will fucking⁠—”

Whatever else he says gets drowned out. Not that I have much experience fighting, but my father is clearly out of practice. He’s older and slower, and I’m not. Not yet.

My phone falls to the ground. One fist grips his shirt while the other swings, and I don’t let go when he expels a startled breath, even though I want to. Not sure when the man last brushed his teeth, but the air in my face is rank.

I’m glad I’ve always made a point of setting a good example for Ella. Thank God she isn’t here.

There’s a ringing in my ears when he gets hold of my shoulders, rolling us until I’m on my back and bouncing my head on the ground. Lights flash behind my eyes, but I’m able to get my knee up to ruin his day.