Chapter 39: Chapter 40

“Yes.”

Then the tears started. Not the hysterical, tremor-filled ones that usually hit when Dustin had his breakdowns over his father. Rather, they were heavy, silent tears that burned down his cheeks and felt like they were carving through skin, directly into his soul. “I want him back.” Dustin’s voice was hoarse, tired, a choke of sound. “I just want a chance to tell him that I’m sorry. That he was right.”

Nicolae’s tone was as raw as Dustin’s. “He knows.”

Dustin was going to ask how. How Nicolae could possibly know that. How Nicolae could be sure. He didn’t. He already knew the answer. Just because I do.

“What were you arguing about with your mother, Dustin. When she hurt you? Was it your father’s death?”