7
Charlie
“SO, IT WAS obviously true,” Jackie said as she drove me home. “Did you see the way he clammed up when I mentioned Tony?”
“Yes,” I muttered, staring out the window.
I felt like I was in a bad dream. That it was all a lie. But it wasn’t and I wanted to throttle my dad. What other lengths would he go to in order to get his way? This was too much. The thought of being in the same house with him made my stomach turn.
“Stop there,” I said as we approached a Holiday Inn.
“Why?” she asked, slowing the car down.
“The hell if I’m going home tonight. I might burn the place down with my father inside.”
She smiled. “I wouldn’t blame you. You can stay at my place.”
“No. You said Brian was staying the night. I’ll never get any sleep with you two going at it.”
“He doesn’t have to,” sh
