Page 27 of Share with Me
“I love you, Dad.”
“I know.”
“We all love you, even Zoe.”
“Sure. For portfolios, we can all love.”
“It’s not like that at all, and you know it, Dad. Family is family. That’s what Grandpa Brooks had taught us. Even if we were poor, I’d still love you, Dad.”
“And you’d be the only one.” Dad chuckled. “Mark my word, Brin. You’d be the only one.”
Brinley didn’t believe him. She released Dad’s shoulders. As she was walking back to the sofa, she passed by the side table with the two books on top that had replaced Dad’s liquor. Right on top was an old Bible that looked awfully familiar. Brinley opened it. Sure enough, it was Grandpa Brooks’s Bible that his great-grandmother had given him in 1930. The Bible had been printed in 1823.
It should be in a museum.
“Are you reading this Bible?” Brinley asked Dad.
“Every day.”
“When did you start reading the Bible?”
“Since Argo Perry invited me to his church.”
“He always invites people to his church. What changed?”
“I changed, Brin. I met Jesus.”
Brinley was stunned. “When did this happen?”
“Maybe five or six weeks ago.”
“What church are you attending? Better be sure it’s not a cult, Dad.”
“Seaside Chapel is not a cult.”
“Is it the same church the McMillans attend?”
Dad paused for the longest time. “I see your point, Brinley Brin.”
“You needn’t worry about any ulterior motives on their part, right?” Brinley plopped back onto the sofa.
“You’d be surprised at what people who call themselves Christians do.” Dad raised a hand. “I’m not saying the McMillans can’t be trusted but it’s human nature we’re dealing with.”
“Yeah. That ubiquitous problem. Just don’t get conned or scammed.”
“I won’t. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t you think it’s odd that Argo and the McMillans go to the same church?” Brinley asked.
“What do you mean?”
“You trust Argo Perry, but you don’t trust the McMillans.”
“I’ve known Argo for some thirty-odd years. I don’t know the McMillans until Zoe came home one day with this green-haired fellow.”
“Quincy had green hair?”
“He cleaned up.” Dad sighed. “What are you doing in the morning?”
