“Well…” I settle onto a barstool at the island. “He has changed. Or I’ve changed. But he’s still…him.”
“And you guys talked. About what happened after we left Easley?”
“Yeah. He ran away from home.”
Dad whips around to stare at me. “What?”
“His mom got arrested, and with his dad still in jail and no other relatives, he knew he’d have to go into foster care. So he ran away. But this guy Cody somehow got guardianship of him. I have no idea how they managed it.” Bribery or threats, most likely. “And now Jay’s an adult, so he’s free to do what he wants. He still lives with his guardian, though. Or his guardian lives with him. They’re friends, like brothers. It’s complicated.” I grimace, realizing how weird it must sound to my dad.
But he only nods, stirring the milk and sifting in cocoa powder. “Sounds like he had a rough time.”
“Yes, but he’s come out on top. He has his own business.”
“The Bitcoin thing. Your mother mentioned it.”
Oh crap. I forgot about that lie. “Yeah, there’s that, and he does some investing, insurance, other stuff.”
“Well, he was always a smart kid. Did he go to college? Study chemistry?”
“He did college online, I think. As for his major, I’m not sure. Why don’t you ask him? We could have him over sometime.”
“Absolutely.” Dad sets a mug of hot chocolate in front of me. “Talk to your mother about it. She knows which nights are free.”
“Speaking of which, I’ll be going to his party tomorrow night.”
Dad raises his eyebrows. “Another one?”
“He has them every weekend.”
“Hmm.” He blows on the steaming surface of the liquid. “Sounds like he’s turned into a party hound.”
I choke on my sip of hot chocolate. “What the hell is a party hound?”
“Someone who parties a lot? Chases parties? Has a nose for parties?” Dad smiles placidly. “A buddy of mine used to make a drink he called the Party Hound, but I think the correct name is the Racing Greyhound. I believe it is also a drink composed of Red Bull, grapefruit juice, and vodka.”
I fake a gagging sound. “That sounds like literally the worst drink ever.”
“You’re not wrong.” He chuckles, but then his eyes turn sober. “Does Jay drink a lot at these parties?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Good. I’m glad that hasn’t changed. Addiction can have a genetic element, and I’d hate to see him slip into the same bad habits his parents had. Letting any substance control your life is a recipe for disaster.”
His words trigger a twist of guilt and worry inside me. What would Dad think about what I can do? The way I can control Jay and others? He always expressed such disgust over Gran’s “powers.” I could tell he despised the people who would allow themselves to be manipulated that way, whether in reality or pretense.
“Dad.” I wrap my fingers around my mug, drawing courage from its warmth. “Remember the stories you used to tell about Gran?”
“Yep. I’m the one who told them, so…”
“Was there anything else?”
Am I imagining the tension of his shoulders? He clears his throat. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, anything…” God, why is this so hard to say? Why does it sound so ridiculous when I verbalize it?
“Was there something different about her? Something that made her especially good at what she did? You know, the hypnotism stuff?”
“Don’t tell me you believe in that crap now.” His voice is tighter, almost annoyed.
“Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it. Could she control people with her voice? And could that kind of skill be passed on to a relative?”
The panicked dart of his eyes to my face reveals volumes. Everything freezes inside me, and for a second, he and I just look at each other. He has assumed his usual placid expression, but it’s too late, and he knows it.
“There was something supernatural involved, wasn’t there?” I say quietly.
“Daisy.” He shakes his head. “Let’s not go there.”
“Too late. You already gave it away. And now you have to tell me everything.”
“Nope, I don’t, because I’m the dad. Good night.”
“Dad, please.” Desperation slips through my tone, and he turns back to me, frowning.
“Why are you asking about this, Daisy?”
“Because…I’ve been noticing some things about myself.”
“That’s not possible.”
