Page 22 of Break Away
“What about your dad? Did he supportyou?”
“Somewhat. My bio father was the localpastor’s son. They met when Mom was seventeen and he was home fromcollege for the summer. She got pregnant and he acted like she’dmanaged that all by herself.
“His parents freaked. How could their goodChristian son get a girl from the poor side of town pregnant? Theywanted her to get an abortion.” She laughed at Levi’s surprisedexpression. “Ironic, right? They were hypocrites, through andthrough. Mom refused and told anyone that’d listen who the fatherwas. His family fought child support until they could get a DNAtest, which proved he was the daddy. After that, he paid, or atleast his parents did. I never met him.”
Levi leaned back against the seat. “You’vehad it rough. People have let you down your entire life. What aboutyour grandparents, your mom’s parents? Did they support her?”
“The best they could. Grampa was a long-haultrucker and money was tight. Mom was the oldest of six kids, so shedealt with a lot on her own.” Zoey cleared her throat. “And that’smore than I’ve shared with anyone in forever. Enough about me. Whydon’t you tell me what made you leave Oakland?”
He hitched a shoulder in a shrug and his gazetraveled around the room. “I told you, I missed my family. Mynieces and nephews are growing up and I want them to know me.”
“Good reasons, to be sure. That’s what pulledyou back home, but my guess is there was something that pushed youout of your previous job.”
There was that shrug again. “Sure there was,but it’s behind me.” He paused. “How are the pika doing?”
Chapter Seven
Zoey steered her Prius through the dark, Levisitting beside her in the passenger seat. She took her eyes fromthe road to glance at him. The hollowed-out look he’d worn whenshe’d first seen him standing in her driveway his first day homehad eased a bit. He’d been friendly, but she had the feeling thatunderneath all that affability something had made him seriouslyunhappy. Who’d have thought he’d be such a good listener?
“You know all that stuff I told you? Despitewhat it might look like from the outside, my childhood was mostlygood. Mom, Charlie, me, we persevered.”
“Perseverance is good. I hope there was somefun and laughter in there as well.”
“Absolutely. I think Mom wanted us to avoidthe mistakes she’d made. One thing Dawn Hardesty instilled in herkids was that you set your goals and then work harder than anyoneelse to achieve them. She led by example and graduated with herbachelor’s degree, and now she has the job she’s always wanted.Charlie’s done the same and he’s in college.”
In the shadowy interior of the car, Leviappeared thoughtful.
“I don’t want you thinking my life waspathetic. It wasn’t.”
“Okay.”
“Now it’s my turn. What’s it like being aGallagher in a town where the Gallagher family is like localroyalty?”
“That’s bullshit. You have a skewed view ofthe Gallagher family.”
“Oh, come on. Everyone loves the Gallaghers.You guys aren’t snooty about it, but it’s true. Your mom has thatnonprofit and does important work for people who are struggling.Then there’s Brad. You’d think he wears a superhero cape. Peoplehere believe he can solve any problem. He’s so diplomatic andlevelheaded. The community loves him. And Maddy is the reigningsweetheart princess. People go to her café to bask in a little ofher sunny personality. Her cheerfulness gives a boost to theirday.”
She pulled to a stop in front of thecottage.
“You could be right about Brad, but Maddy hada few rough years.” He broke off, staring intently at the front ofher house. “Are the lights on your porch on a timer?”
“No, why?”
“Because they were on when we left but aren’tnow.”
She peered through the windscreen as he wasdoing. “You’re right. Maybe they shorted out or something.” Thenshe heard it, the mournful howling coming from inside her home.“Something’s wrong with Lucy. She’s always been fine when I’ve lefther alone before.”
Zoey had her seatbelt undone and was reachingfor the door handle when Levi grabbed her arm.
“Wait.”
“Why? Lucy is upset.”
“Something’s not right.” The bright moon gaveenough light that she could see his easy mood of the evening hadshifted, his expression taking on what she could only describe ascop face. Intent, focused, serious. “Drive to my cabin.”
“Why? I want to—”
“Zoey, do it.”
