CHAPTER 16

　　PERCIE

　　“Oh, she said—”?

　　“Dad!” she shouted, dropped the fork. Then she stood up and left us at the dining table.

　　A moment later, a bang followed from upstairs.

　　“You pissed her off, Keith.” My words came out defensively.

　　“Sorry about that, Percie. She’s so shy,” Lillian said.

　　“Only to me.” I drunk my water then wiped my mouth with a napkin. I stood up. “Don’t apologize, Lily. I’m the one who provoked her. Let me check her up if you don’t mind.”

　　"Go ahead."

　　I knocked on her bedroom door. “Hailey, it’s me. Can I come in?” I waited, then knocked again. “Hailey, please? I apologize if that embarrassed you.”

　　She still didn’t answer.

　　I twisted the doorknob, but it was locked. Shit! I was screwing this up. I took a huge breath then walked down.

　　I took the paper bag I bought for Lillian and joined them in the dining. They were done eating.

　　“Lily, I bought this for you. It’s not much, but as they said, it’s the thought that counts.” I gave her the bag.