Page 7 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

“Someone cut me off on the freeway. My car flipped on its side, and I couldn’t get out. The engine burst into flames.”

“Oh, my God. Daddy!”

“Yeah. It was pretty scary. Thankfully, a good Samaritan pulled me to safety.”

“Wow. That’s wild.”

“It was. I’ll always be grateful to him. Offered him a job, in fact.”

“Really?”

“Yep. He works at the mill now.”

“That was nice of you.”

“It’s the least I could do.”

“How’s that working out? You hired him without knowing anything about him.”

“Great, so far. The man risked his life for a stranger. That’s exactly the kind of man I want working at the mill.” He flicks his gaze from the road to me. “You steer clear of him, though. Understand?”

“Why? You just said he was a good guy.” I shrug. “It’s not like I’m going down by the mill, anyway.”

“True. You’ll be busy with class work. Huntington College is going to keep you quite loaded down, I’m sure.”

Huntington College. I sigh at the thought. It’s the only reason I returned to California—to attend my parents’ alma mater. From the time I was old enough to understand, it was always clear that was where I’d end up. Attending Huntington is supposed to open all kinds of doors for me, but I’m not sure I care. It’s a very prestigious school, and I’m sure it’s full of the type of students my father wants me to associate with, rather than the crowd that has formed my friend group from high school at the performing arts school I’d attended back east.

I glance at my father. “Does Mom know about this accident you had? She never mentioned it to me.”

“No, and she doesn’t need to know, either. Besides, we don’t exactly keep up with each other’s lives.”

“So, what is going on in your life, Dad? Dating anyone?”

“I’m too busy for that. If I need a date for an event, I find someone.”

I study the side of his face. I don’t think he ever got over my mom.

“I had Ruth get all your favorite foods.” He squeezes my hand. “I’m happy you’re here, honey. You know that, right?”

“Aunt Ruth still works for you?”

“Of course. She’ll be with me until she retires. Why?”

“From what I remember, she was always harping on you. I thought she would have left a long time ago.”

“Ruth is family.” He meets my eyes. “

“How old is she now?” My father’s sister never married. I remember her having gray hair when I was ten and my mother packed me up to move me to the east coast with her. It was right after the incident where I tied myself to the tree. For years, I thought it was my fault. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I found out my father had cheated on her with his secretary. Everyone was surprised when they didn’t marry after the divorce was finalized.

“Ruth is older than me by a dozen years. Hell, I think she turns seventy this year.”

“And she’s still cooking for you?”

“She takes good care of me. Just like she took care of your grandfather before he passed. There’s no slowing her down, honey. She’s a ball of energy.”

I stare out my window. I haven’t felt like a ball of energy in months. Ever since Mom told me I was returning to California to attend Huntington College, no matter what I wanted or how many other acceptance letters came in the mail from all the schools where I’d applied.

I blow out a breath. I’m dreading everything about this, not to mention the fact that I’ve been ripped away from my friends.

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