Page 98 of Ryder

“Nothing to lose?” I try not to smirk as my wife tries, and fails, to calm her temper. “He was a dick to you for years just because it was his dad who was the asshole.”

“I know that, but he was also a kid, too. He was younger than me. He was gettin’ hit. I think he took all of his frustrations out on me because I was the easy target. We were both angry.”

She bites down on her lip and looks away. Talking about my abuse always makes Crystal this way, and now that Stu is back in the picture texting me, I can’t blame her for being suspicious. I’m older now and, I hope, a little wiser.

“I know, it was a horrible situation for both of you.” She chews on her lip as she watches me. “What are you going to say?”

“I could ask him when and where?”

She nods.

Me

Let’s cut to the chase. When and where? I leave tomorrow

I don’t leave until late the next day, but I also don’t want to drag this out. Whatever he’s got to say, he can say today.

A reply bounces back.

Stu

I can meet you soon, at the Rosary

I stare at the text. Why would we be meeting at the church?

Me

Uh, kinda weird meeting place

Stu

I work there. I get off at five if you want to meet somewhere else

I look up at Crystal. “Stu works at the Rosary.”

Her eyes bug wide. “What?”

“He just said he gets off at five.”

“Is he a priest?” I can see the idea running through her mind as she frowns. “This is just getting weirder.”

Me

You work at the Rosary?

Stu

Yes, but I’m a social worker, not a man of the cloth

I stare again, this time unseeing. “He said he’s a social worker.”

Crystal is already typing on her phone. “Check this out.” She waves the phone at me as I squint. There’s a picture of a man in jeans and a plaid shirt, standing with the local bishop, the mayor, chief of police and the high school principal.

“Holy fuck.”

She takes the phone back and starts reading. “It says Stu Whitebender — what a fucking name — raises twenty-five thousand dollars for renovations to the Rosary, the beloved heritage listed church in Greenlark’s Main Street,” she reads. “Mr. Whitebender has worked tirelessly for the organization ever since he first volunteered here as a youth. Since helping hundreds of teenagers and young adults, some of which have gone on to have successful careers, Bishop Cartwright and our very own mayor welcomed Mr. Whitebender as the officialRosary youth worker.” She looks up from her rambling. “It goes on and on about him getting the Citizen of the Year award, as well as several other prestigious accolades.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

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