Seven Times They Chose Him. The Last Time, They Lost Me novel · Chapter 22 of 24
Chapter 22: Terms
My parents came to Aunt Dot's on Monday afternoon, together, in my father's truck.
The caseworker was already there, at the kitchen table with her folder, and she watched from the window.
I had asked for the porch.
I sat on the swing with an index card in my hand and my cast on my knee, and Aunt Dot sat in the chair beside me and said nothing.
My father came up the steps and stopped.
He was wearing a flannel shirt I had never seen, and he looked like he had not slept since Saturday.
My mother stood one step below him.
Dylan came last, and sat on the top step with his back against the post.
"Okay," my father said. "Whatever you want. Tell us."
"It isn't what I want," I said. "It's what I need before I can see you."
I looked down at the card.
Aunt Dot had told me to write it out, because I'd forget it when I was scared.
"I'm staying here," I said. "At Aunt Dot's. For now, and I don't know how long. That's not a punishment. It's where I live."
My father's jaw moved.
"Okay."
"You can have dinner with me on Wednesdays. Here, at this table, and Dot will cook. You'll come on time."
"I can do that."
"If you're not on time, you don't come in."
"Zack."
"That's the rule."
He closed his mouth, and nodded.
"You don't pick me up at school," I said. "You don't come to Marlow Middle. You don't show up at swim meets, or at the rec center, or at the craft fair. If I want you there, I'll tell you."
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