And, cliché or not, he wasn't even my real dad.
It was sad, really. Other than his money, Gordon was no prize. But it wasn't until I'd actually "blossomed" asheput it, that I started to seriously avoid him.
These days, he watched me way too closely. And I wasn't stupid enough to believe, as my mom did, that it was for my own protection. What itwasfor, I didn't want to speculate.
And yet, I did.
All the time.
Now, I gave Becka what I hoped was an encouraging smile. "I'm fine. It was just one of those days, that's all. You know, at school."
At this, her eyes brightened. "Oh yeah, I heard."
I frowned. "Heard what?"
"About that John Archer guy."
"How didyouknow?"
"I heard dad talking about it."
Dad?She meant Gordon, of course. Reluctantly, I asked, "What did he say?"
"That he – I mean John – got caught giving beer to someone who wasn't old enough."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"He works at one of dad's gas stations."
That was news to me. "He does?"
"Oh yeah. Well, that's what dad said anyway."
My head was swimming now. "When?"
"Today," she said. "Just before you got home. I heard him and mom talking." She sat up and gave me a perplexed look. "But wait, I figured you knew."
"Me? Why would I know?" I paused. "You mean, because John and I go to the same school?"
"No, because he sold it toyou."
I almost staggered under the weight of her words. "What?"
"Yeah," she said. "I figured that's why you looked all barfy."
"Well, it's not," I said. "And there has to be a mistake. He didn't sell me anything."
Becka looked unconvinced. "That's not what dad said. He said the manager caught him doing it."
"But he couldn’t've," I protested. "I wasn't evenata gas station."
Becka smiled. "I heard he's really cute."
"Who? John?"
"Oh yeah. Dad was all mad, wondering if he was your boyfriend or something."
Andthiswas the problem dealing with little sisters. I loved Becka. Really, I did. But how could shenotrealize what a huge deal this was?
When I spoke, my voice came out sharper than I intended. "And you just thought to tell me this?"
"Why wouldIhave to tell you?" she said. "You already knew, right?"
But already, I was turning away. I had no idea what was going on, but somehow, Ihadto make it right.
Except in the end, I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried.
Probably, I only made it worse.
