Desperate for Approval novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Third Row

He found me in the reception hall, between the cheese table and the foundation's banner.

Dad crossed the room with Marla a step behind him, and the crowd of parents in their coats parted without being asked.

Kelsey came last, holding her phone out in front of her at arm's length.

The little red light on the screen was on.

She was filming.

"Britta Holm," Dad said.

He did not raise his voice.

He never did, and he never needed to.

"You will take that speech down tonight."

"Hello, Dad."

"You stood in front of two hundred people and called me a leash. You told them I made you account for tissues. You made me look like a monster."

"I didn't say your name."

"You didn't have to."

Around us, the room had gone quiet.

A woman with a program in her hand pretended to read it.

The dean stood at the edge of the circle with her glass of water, watching.

Marla touched his sleeve.

"Dale, let's talk in the car."

"I'll talk here. She wanted an audience." He turned back to me. "After everything I've spent on you."

"What have you spent on me?"

"Eighteen years of your life."

"I lived with Grandma."

"Who paid for the clothes? The doctor? The school trips?"

"Grandma did."

His mouth tightened.

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