Page 71 of Lilly

"Next time I see you."

"Which is when?"

"Who knows? My dad's acting even stranger than normal. And he's in a really bad mood. Ever since he got back from New York, I've been afraid to get near him. I feel like he's going to blow up at any moment. I haven't seen him like this for a long time, probably not since he was married to my mom. Those two used to fight constantly."

"Is he fighting with Rachel?"

"No. It's not that. It's something else."

"Maybe it has to do with Garret's company."

"That's what I was thinking. I can't come up with any other explanation. Garret's been acting weird too so that's gotta be it. He's almost as stressed out as my dad. Anyway, right now I'm afraid to even ask my dad if I can come down there to see you."

"Then I'll come up there. Unless you think your dad's gonna throw a fit if I do."

"I don't know why he would, but I better run it past him before I agree to it. But I can't ask him tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I'll have Rachel ask. She's better at getting him to agree to things than I am."

"If it makes you feel any better, my dad's been acting crazy too. He's totally stressed, and when I asked him why, he said it's because of his job but I don't buy it. Managing a tour with out-of-control musicians is a lot more stressful than sitting in an office all day, but he never seemed stressed when he was managing tours."

"Maybe the new job is stressful because it's not what he's used to."

"I guess. I've just never seen him this way. I don't even think he sleeps anymore. When I got up this morning, he was sitting in the living room with his laptop and said he never went to bed. His lack of sleep makes him cranky so I've been trying to stay away from him."

"When did he start acting like this?"

"Ever since he took that job. But he's been getting worse since he got back from that trip a few days ago."

"Was it a work trip?"

"Yeah. It was in Connecticut. He had to go to some meeting. I don't know what it was about but he was really nervous before he left. I think he should just quit this new job and go back to managing tours. He was a lot easier to live with back then."

"Do you think he'd do that?"

"No. He likes the money that comes with the new job. Oh, and get this. You're not going to believe this."

"What?"

"He gave me ten thousand dollars."

"Ten thousand dollars? Are you serious?"

"It's already in my bank account."

"Is it for school?"

"No. He already gave me my school money. This is just for whatever I want to use it for. Like maybe a gift for the girl I love?"

"Reed, don't buy me anything. You need to save that money."

"Some of it, but not all of it. I never had money last year. Now that I do, I want to buy you something. Is there anything you want, or should I just surprise you?"

"I don't need anything."

"It's not about what you need. I just want to get you something."

"Then wait until my birthday. It's not that far away."

"Speaking of that, do you think there's any way I could take you somewhere that weekend?"

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