Page 91 of Lovetown, USA
Now, all that’s left of me is ashes. The ruins of what I thought would be a beautiful life. The dregs of a dream that will never be realized. I’m a strong woman, but I can only take so much.
I wanted to disappear.
I wanted to hurt him.
For a brief moment, I wanted to die.
The pain was unbearable. Some days, it still is.
But Reginald Henry Savoy will never break me. Not the man, the myth, or the legend. He will end up alone with his lies, his accomplishments, and his accolades, and one day, when the applause fades and the cameras turn away, he’ll discover what it feels like to be unfulfilled.
Because you can only lie to yourself for so long.
31
Trey
By the time Ifinish, I see her differently. Not in a bad way. Not at all. I feel like I see her pain. She hides it well, or maybe I just wasn’t looking. Maybe I wasn’t listening.
Now?
I understand.
While my son charms her, I fold the article and slip it back in her bag. I look at her again, pretty and smiling, and I feel oddly protective in a way I hadn’t before.
“Cam, set the table,” I say, and as soon as he gets up, I take his place, wrapping Lane in a hug, kissing the top of her head. I pull back and lock eyes with her, hoping she can see it in my eyes. She’s safe over here with me. I see her clearly now, and I’ll never hurt her. Not like he did.
We sit down for dinner a few minutes later, and it’s loud. Well, Cam is loud. He insists on telling us stories, some of which are funny, but most of which are foreign to me. Gen Z and I do not see eye to eye on most things.
Halfway though the meal, Cam finally drops the bomb on me.
“So Dad, I wanted to ask you something.”
I brace myself. “Go ahead.”
“I need money.”
“That ain’t a question, Cam.”
Lane snickers, and I like that she’s already comfortable enough to do that.
He sets his fork on his plate and takes a deep breath. “Okay, I’m asking if I can get an allowance again.”
“For what?” I say, my face properly balled. “I send you money every month.”
“For living expenses,” he counters. “I need extra.”
“Again I ask, for what?”
He sighs. “Raven. Her birthday was last week. She’s mad at me because I didn’t spend enough.”
“Sounds like you need a job,” I say flatly.
“But my course load,” he whines. “It’s heavy, Pop. You remember what that’s like.” He looks at Lane for backup. “I’m pre-med.”
Her face lights up. “I love that. Following in your daddy’s footsteps.” She turns to me. “I know you’re proud.”
I shrug. “If he makes it to medical school. It’s still early. His little ass might fall off.”
