He looked to be trembling with anger, the vein in his forehead prominent and bulging.
I, on the other hand, felt a calm settle over my shoulders like a reassuring hug. Like I could feel my momma’s spirit around me, smiling.
I’d love to say I left then, never to see him again. But that’s not actually how life works.
The judgehadbeen saving the worst for last; he just hadn’t gotten there yet.
“I don’t think you’ll do that considering what I’m about to tell you,” my father sneered. “I’ve been informed that Jace Vargas has recently applied to college so that he may work in education. Well, I have a family willing to vouch that he conducted himself improperly, in a criminally negligent fashion, in the presence of a minor on school property.”
A brief sense of depersonalization came over me and I shook my head back and forth slowly, as if the picture in front of me was some sort of trippy Etch A Sketch, wishing I could shake it and it’d be gone. But no amount of shaking could make this go away.
“Should you continue this relationship with him, move out of my house, or act in any way that I deem inappropriate, I will have no choice but to have this family come forward. While it may not be legally substantiated without physical evidence, the damage to his reputation will be done. He will never be allowed to work with minors, your ability to work with minors will be threatened due to your association with him, and you and your children will live in ruin.” He paused, lip curling maliciously. “Think very carefully, Polly.”
CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE
JACE
You are not the last dream of my soul.
You are the first dream, the only dream I ever was unable to stop myself from dreaming. You are the first dream of my soul, and from that dream I hope will come all other dreams, a lifetime’s worth.
Cassandra Clare,Clockwork Prince
Ichecked my watch again, making it only four minutes after I’d checked it the last time. The kids and I had just gotten to my parents’ house, and I was anxiously awaiting Polly’s text letting me know she was on her way over to meet my parents . . . as my girlfriend.
We found Pop in the garage, music playing in the background as he inspected a very old set of golf clubs. He was never much of a golfer.
“You thinkin’ about picking up a club again?” I called out.
Pop smiled briefly, then held up a finger. He glanced toward his workbench. “Alexa, be a dear and pause the music.”
“Pausing,” a robotic female voice sounded.
“Thank you, Alexa.” I saw the amused smirk on Max’s face as Pop thanked the AI computer program.
“You’re welcome,” Alexa said.
Pop shook his head. “That Alexa is always so polite. Good manners are a lost art. Max! Ryla! Good to see you two again. Say Ryla,” Pop said, a twinkle in his eye. “Susan’s inside, making something that smells like waffles if you’re interested.”
As soon as he said waffles, Ryla was running up the concrete garage steps and barging into the house.
“Hiya, Maxy. I think she’s got some fresh homemade sweet tea, too.”
“I’ve never tried sweet tea.”
Pop held a hand to his heart. “Son, you’re missing the nectar of life. Why don’t you follow your sister and bring out a glass for you and me.” Pop looked over at me and startled, acting like he hadn’t seen me. “Oh, and maybe this guy, too.”
I was proud of Max when he went into the kitchen alone. I eyed Pop suspiciously, wondering why he’d wanted to get me alone.
“You taking those classics to sunny Florida soon?” I crossed my arms over my chest. His golf bag looked straight out of the 1970s and probably was a third hand-me-down. My parents weren’t big on new things. Which, again, was why this supposed move to Florida was so out of left field.
“Ack, well, Kent and your uncle have been talking about golf and think I need new clubs. But I told them it was hard for me to do that much golf these days, and if I did, these work just fine”
He shuffled over to a folding chair, grunting as he sat. He inclined his head to the empty chair next to him.
“I’m glad you came over,” Pop began as I sat down. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, uh, something. It’s about Florida. Things aren’t exactly as Kent described. I know we put an offer in on the condo and it’s been accepted, and I know Kent made it seem like we’re movin’ any day.”
I frowned, because that’sexactlywhat Kent made it sound like.
