Chapter 16
Inside the house, my father shrugs out of his coat, dripping snow all over the kitchen tiles. “This is a big effing house,” he announces, and bends as far as his arthritic back will allow him, and pets Darth Vader on the top of his head.
Darth’s tail thumps the floor excitedly.
My sister is at my side. “Where’s the bourbon?”
I point in the direction of the dining room and she disappears quickly out of sight.
“Darth is a long story,” I tell my father. The playful interaction between my father and Darth calms my nerves. I smile as happiness settles over me.
Then I hear the soft tunes of Nat King Cole playing. My sister pokes her sage green eyes around the corner. “Nice stereo, bro. But do you have any Tim McGraw?”
It is going to be a long week.
Philip helps me put away gro
