had an internal alarm clock that beeped every time we discussed their Christmas gifts—for all I know, there probably is an Apple app to do that these days—all four of our kids suddenly joined us. Alex gave me a head nod, which I took as a sign of progress.
Getting everyone in the same place had never been an easy task with the Collins clan, much less the same room. It was a nice moment … until Franny exclaimed, “Look, Daddy—I got a candy cane.” She proudly held up her striped sugar stick up for me to see, as did Zooey.
Just as she said it, as if orchestrated, Celine-Lite began singing with gusto, “O Come, all ye Faithful.”
A few of the guests actually had the nerve to send a dirty look in my direction. In this room, I was squarely in the top percentile of faithfulness, having had just one affair, albeit, a very public one.
“I’m sorry about that,” I whispered to Libby.
“It was bound to come up. Especially this time of year.”
I meant I was sorry about everything, but now was hardly the time for such mea culpas, especially ones that were already understood, and frankly, were too late.
When my public beating concluded, the kids dispersed to prepare for the Nativity play—a requirement for all Wainwright children each year. I jokingly gave Taylor the “Get out of Jail Free” Monopoly card that she’d given me during one of her prison visits, and that I’d carried in my wallet since being released. She’d always hated performing in these plays.
But she surprised me with her enthusiasm. “I’m playing the lead this year—the Virgin Mary—it can’t go on without me!” she exclaimed, before heading off to Wardrobe.
I’d given up on trying to figure out teenagers, so I didn’t give the change of heart much thought, and my mind wandered to my return trip to the city. Libby caught me glancing at my watch. “Not going to stick around for the play?”
“I’d like to—I hear it’s up for a Tony. But I have a train to catch.”
“Say hello to Zee for me,” she said, showing off her prognostication skills.
“I will.”
Before I left, she reached into her purse one more time and took out a folder. “Can you give this to Alyson when you go home tonight? It’s for the Morzetti case. We have a meeting next week, and she’s off tomorrow, so she wanted to do some prep work.”
I looked at the folder, but didn’t say anything.
“You are going home tonight, aren’t you?” she asked with a suspicious look.
She always knew when I was up to something. And I was. But that wasn’t the reason for my silence. It was the realization that while I might be living with Alyson, home was a place that I’d probably never have again. So, no, I wouldn’t be going home tonight.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Book Jacket
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Acknowledgments
Excerpt from Kristmas Collins
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Table of Contents
Title Page
Book Jacket
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Acknowledgments
Excerpt from Kristmas Collins
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Table of Contents
Title Page
Book Jacket
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Acknowledgments
Excerpt from Kristmas Collins
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
<<Previous page The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 1 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 2 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 3 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 4 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 5 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 6 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 7 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 8 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 9 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 10 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 11 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 12 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 13 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 14 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 15 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 16 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 17 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 18 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 19 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 20 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 21 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 22 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 23 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 24 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 25 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 26 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 27 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 28 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 29 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 30 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 31 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 32 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 33 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 34 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 35 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 36 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 37 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 38 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 39 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 40 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 41 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 42 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 43 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 44 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 45 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 46 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 47 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 48 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 49 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 50 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 51 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 52 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 53 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 54 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 55 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 56 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 57 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 58 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 59 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 60 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 61 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 62 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 63 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 64 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 65 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 66 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 67 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 68 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 69 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 70 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 71 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 72 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 73 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 74 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 75 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 76 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 77 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 78 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 79 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 80 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 81 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 82 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 83 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 84 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 85 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 86 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 87 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 88 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 89 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 90 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 91 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 92 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 93 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 94 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 95 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 96 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 97 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 98 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 99 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 100 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 101 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 102 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 103 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 104 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 105 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 106 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 107 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 108 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 109 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 110 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 111 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 112 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 113 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 114 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 115 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 116 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 117 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 118 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 119 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 120 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 121 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 122 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 123 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 124 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 125 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 126 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 127 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 128 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 129 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 130 The Heritage Paper - By Derek Ciccone - Page 131