Page 113 of Shards of You and Me

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He’s silent a moment. ‘I don’t know. What would you say to him?’

This time when I lick my lips I taste salt. ‘Why didn’t you ask me to go with you when you left?’

‘Wait. Are you asking your dad this question or me?’

I blink. ‘Dad… I think.’

He sighs. ‘Did you want to go with him?’

The fog of alcohol is making it difficult to remember. ‘I don’t think so. I just wanted him to ask, wanted to see his struggle.’

‘Well, maybe he struggles inwardly, like his daughters.’

I close my eyes and feel the lure of sleep.

‘Annie.’

‘Mm?’

‘I need you to go have a drink of water, then go put yourself to bed,’ he says. ‘Can you do that?’

I nod.

‘Annie.’

‘Yeah, I can do that.’

I hear him exhale again. ‘Get some sleep, and I’ll call you tomorrow.’

I miss you. ‘Okay.’

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