Page 118 of Victorious Vice

I make a big stack of pancakes on a plate and place a big square of butter on top. I’m serving the syrup on the side, because that’s the way they do it in restaurants. I also poured him a big glass of orange juice. I don’t like orange juice, but Daddy does. I prefer my Orange Crush. Mommy says it’s bad for me, but I learned in school that it has less sugar thanregular orange juice. Mommy didn’t think it was funny when I pointed that out.

I checked when I woke up to see if he was still in bed. He wasn’t. Daddy usually gets up early to check things out on the ranch, but today he’s taking the day off for his birthday. He’s probably in his study, so I’ll bring his breakfast in there.

I put the plate of pancakes, the container of syrup, and the glass of orange juice on a tray and carefully carry it to his office door, making sure the orange juice doesn’t splash everywhere.

The door is closed, but I can see that the latch isn’t in place, so I’ll be able to open it up with my hip.

I walk inside, beaming.

“Happy birthday, Da?—”

Daddy isn’t alone. There’s a man in his office. His skin is tan, he has dark hair, and he looks…just a little slimy.

Daddy looks at me and widens his eyes. “Raven!” he yells. “Get out of here! Can’t you see I’m in a meeting?”

I drop my jaw. Daddy doesn’t ever yell at me.

I want to leave, but I’m frozen in place. The tray in my hands feels like it weighs a hundred pounds.

“Raven, did I stutter? Leave!”

I drop the tray. The plate under the pancakes shatters into a million pieces, as does the glass of orange juice. The syrup and the juice splatter everywhere, and the pancakes I worked so hard on all by myself are ruined.

I burst into tears and run out of the office.

“Raven. Whatever is the matter, darling?”

It’s my grandma. She came over to help Mom with the preparations for Daddy’s birthday party tonight.

I run into her arms, bawling.

“Honey, what is it?”

I wipe my eyes. “Daddy yelled at me. I came into this office to surprise him with breakfast. And he was talking to someone and he got mad at me for interrupting.”

Grandma strokes my hair. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

I look up at her. “He’s never yelled at me like that. And I’ve accidentally interrupted him before. Normally he’s calm.”

Grandma takes a deep breath in. “Raven, my angel. I’ve got a secret for you. Something that every child must learn eventually. Promise you won’t tell?”

A secret? What is Grandma talking about?

“I promise.”

Grandma gives me a smile, but her eyes are sad. “Grown-ups make mistakes. And your father has made a big one.”

“He has?”

She nods slowly. “He has. He thinks I know nothing about it, but people tend to underestimate old women. We know a lot more than people think we do.”

“Is Daddy going to fix his mistake?”

“I sure hope he does, sweetie.” Grandma looks out the window and lets out a sigh. “I’m not sure if it will happen in my lifetime, but your Daddy is a good man. But he has…his own secrets. Every grown-up does.”

“They do?”

“Yes. And I’m sure you have secrets too, right?”

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