Chapter 20I decided on Martin Luther King Day. It was a school holiday. Plenty of time for Sarge to hear me out.
I skipped my workout. This was more important. I needed to catch Sarge before he ran out of the house. I loved him for what he did at the VA, but that morning, I needed him.
I trembled, pretty much terrified. What will he say? Will he treat me different? Can I speak those words?
He was at the breakfast table happily chomping down Estrella’s blueberry pancakes.
“You’re here early. No workout today?”
“He’s entitled to skip a day,” Estrella said to Sarge. Then she pointed to me. “Sit, mijito. I’ve got pancakes, bacon, orange juice, mi amor.”
My stomach’s in fits. I can’t eat. I’ll pretend, for Estrella’s sake.
“Sarge.” I corrected myself. I need him as a father, not a soldie
