“Now I think your family is worse than I imagined.”
The following Sunday, Angela introduced me at church as “Dad’s brave little surprise.”
I smiled. “And you’re his long-term disappointment, Angela.”
A woman nearby choked on a laugh.
She leaned closer. “You really think you belong here?”
“I do. More than people who mistake cruelty for class.”
By the time we got home, Daniel was already in the foyer with a lawyer.
Rick had barely stepped inside when he stopped, pressing a hand to his chest.
“Rick?” I caught his arm.
Violet came running. “Grandpa?”
“Call an ambulance,” I snapped.
Angela waved it off. “It’s probably just stress—”
I lowered Rick carefully to the floor. His breathing had become shallow, thin.
Violet was shaking so badly she nearly dropped the phone.
