Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Emily reached her hand to touch his arm briefly. “Look, all I’m saying is, everyone is thriving. I don’t see anything bad about that.”

“He’s so young, Em. He’s so fucking young.”

“Yes he is, but no child in that family has been able to be a kid. Except maybe the ones Jody has, Justin’s aunt I mean. And those right there, in your car.” She nodded pointedly toward the vehicle in question. “He’s young but not na?ve. Justin doesn’t need a father figure, he needs a reliable adult, a partner to help him out, because if he’s alone, who knows how this will go? I’ve got faith in him, I do, and I know he’d manage somehow. But at what cost, Del?”