Chapter 15

“You made the first step by calling me and showing up in Oakville. I couldn’t ask for anything more rewarding than seeing you after this past lonely year.”

“I need to call my parents.” He said it out of context, more to himself than to me, and in a whisper, almost too faint for me to hear.

I was alarmed. “Dave? What about your parents?”

Distraught, preoccupied, he looked like he was about to cry, or yell. “It’s the real reason why I’m moving around a lot, occupying myself with anything but family.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I moved to Albany to dodge a bullet, and to run away from my insecurities with commitment. But I never told you about my mom and dad.”

I stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

“They separated around the same time we went our own ways last year,” he said.

I kneaded my forehead.

“What?” he asked, as if I had something to say.