Page 48 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“Why wouldn’t anyone ever tell me this?” he asks.

“You never tell us anything.”

“All right, I don’t care.” He looks to his side and puts his hand up to his mouth. “But Danny’s da, he contacted Melissa?”

Back to Danny? I lost him again. I always lose to Danny. Wait... How’d he know it was Danny’s dad? Whatever.

“He came to the house once. He was a Black guy.”

“Why do you even have to mention his skin color?”

“What? Black? Because he was Black.”

“Okay, but does it matter? What does that detail add to this conversation?”

“I don’t know...because Danny is Black? Or at least half Black? Haven’t you talked to him about this?”

“No. It’s just... I don’t know the right way to talk about it, okay? Anyway, enough of this.”

“He’s starting to wonder, Peter.”

“What are you talking about?”

“A couple of nights ago, he came out into the living room and asked me what nationality I was. I think it’s because he’s wondering about himself. So, yes, he’s Black...and maybe you should talk to him about it. Tell him whatever you know.”

“Maybe, but not now. I’ll let him bring it up to me.”

“I just think—”

“What did Danny’s da say to Melissa? Was he interested in taking Danny back someday?”

God, I hope so.

“I don’t know, Peter. I was like eight years old.”

He stares at me intently but is silent for a couple of moments.

“Well, he can’t, so it doesn’t matter. I just thought I knew the whole story. I guess Melissa forgot to tell me that little detail,” he says.

“Well, my dad... I don’t even know who my dad is, so...”

“Mhmm...” Peter turns back around and starts putting dishes away.

“At least your parents died. It’s not like they abandoned you.”

“Yeah. Good thing they’re dead, huh? My mum will never try to contact me, considering she’s dead,” he says, defeated.

Maybe I’m taking this too far? How do I get him back?

“Whoa, honey, I didn’t—”

“Honey?” he asks as he stuffs a dish in a cabinet and turns around quickly. He suddenly doesn’t seem so sad anymore. Got him.

“I thought we said yesterday—”

“We did.”

“Can I call you that, then?”

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