Jon didn’t move. His hand stayed on her back, slow circles through the blanket. “It was my dad,” Kara whispered again.
“I heard you,” Jon said softly. “Do you want to tell me about him?” Kara pulled the blanket down just enough to see him. Her eyes were red. “He left,” she said. “When I was 10. Packed a bag one morning and never came back.”
Jon’s jaw tightened. “Why?”
“He said he couldn’t do it anymore. The bills. My mom. Me.” Kara laughed, but it was bitter. “Said he was ‘chasing a better life’. In Vegas.” Jon shifted so he could pull her into his lap, blanket and all. “Did he call? After?” “Birthday cards for 3 years,” Kara said. “Then nothing. My mom worked 3 jobs. I watched my little brother so she could. That’s why I wanted my own pharmacy. So no kid has to watch their mom fall apa
