Loving my friend's father

re's

ook away no matter

worn something better. Darn it! Was he here for a wh

ad called, and I tu

ay, sweetie

ure," I

wl at the table. I hadn't

e you saw a ghost," Dad said, put

forgot something," I repli

nd smiled at Vanessa, not w

responded, making the butte

now you were co

ttle while ago, and your dad ask

omething had kicked my leg from unde

he smirked. That devil j

hing, huh? Or... you got startled? Seems

on't think that's a great idea. You wouldn't want to mess up i

f," I wh

y me," he said,

dreams,"

how long you can handle it when I tell ever

n't someone to dare anyon

I asked. "So you c

ucks," h

ead b..."

nd said, getting

anything?" Dad asked,

cked him, and he

g with you?"

it to you. Just s

d you pass me the soup, please?" he a

rve my portion. I kept avoiding Rawl'

ou're in your final year at the university," Rawl said

have to be so de

ed, feeling the hea

and we'll be graduating on the same day next month,"

awn, you have a graduate now,

be more proud of h

s choking," Rich said,

o we'll forget abou

our life hell? No," Rich

at it again,"

ch responded, and I slapp

d and continued eating

s I ate my food and looked away j

o finish eating, as alw

a series in the living room wh

led, washing the dishes softly, imagining I was touching Raw

amiliar voice, and I

n, and I turned to see R

It shattered on the floor, and I panicked

wl said, taking the broo

s my fault. Let me

what you're doing, and I

"You looked like you were thinking of somet

s just, um, dream

, paying attention t

n," my brain sang. "Those

hands, and I swallowed at th

ke to get you to hold me? I

," he c

mmered, looking a

school. I missed having th

friends except Vanessa. Miss school? You freaking

r at school?" he asked ca

not to draw a lot of attent

o the dustpan and dumped them

then washed my hands. I started to leave, still trying

and met his gaze. I had never known his eyes looked this lovely up close. His warm

e. "Hey, Claire, what's up with your brother ?