This Much is True - Tia Louise Page 0,61
I start to see what’s going on. “You know, sometimes missing a dad can make kids act like bullies.”
I’m not sure my son is old enough to understand the concept of self-loathing.
His brow furrows just like a little man’s as he thinks. It makes me smile. “When you were gone, I didn’t act like that.”
“That’s because you’re a smart guy, J. You knew I was coming back. And you had GA and people around who loved you taking care of you.”
His face scrunches. He’s reluctant, but trying. “Poppy would take me to the park and throw the ball.”
My jaw tightens at the mention of my dad, but I don’t want my son to see my anger. “Is Uncle Scout doing that with you now?”
“Yeah!” His eyes brighten. “Every day after school. And he taught me to skateboard. I’m the only kid at school who has a longboard.”
“That’s really cool. Send me a picture.”
“We’ll send you a video!” He’s talking loud again, and I’m glad he seems to have forgotten his anger.
“I can’t wait to see it.” I’m smiling, and damn, I want to be there with him. “Hey, little man, you know I love you?”
“I love you too, Dad.”
“I’m working on getting home, but I need to talk to Uncle Scout now. I need him to help me with something.”
“Okay! He’s right here.” The video zig-zags as he bounces on the bed then runs to find my brother. “Here he is!”
“Hey, J?”
“Yeah?”
“Think about tomorrow, maybe starting your own team first with Jimmy. Then pick Hunter to be on it.”
He’s quiet a bit, frowning. He’s breathing fast from running, but I can see in his blue eyes he’s thinking about what I’m saying. “I’ll try.”
Pride swells in my chest at my boy. “Let me know how it goes.”
My brother’s smiling face appears on the screen. “What’s the latest, bro?”
“Hey, I need your help.”
“Shoot.”
“I need to record a confession on my phone, but I don’t see a voice recorder or anything.” I frown, turning the device side to side. “How can I do that?”
“Damn, sometimes I forget you were in the joint the last two years. Technology has come a long way, old one.”
“Can you focus? It’s important.”
He laughs, walking me through how to make a voice memo on my phone.
“What would be even better is if you did video, then there’s no question who’s talking.”
“I don’t know how I could hold up a phone and get him to confess…”
“Put it face up on the table.” I don’t know how that’s better, but he walks me through the steps for that as well. “Just be sure you don’t accidentally delete it once you’re done.”
“How the hell would I do that?” Panic tightens my lungs.
“Not save it, hit the delete button, lots of ways.”
“Mother…” I don’t say the rest, because Jesse could be in the room, but motherfucker. My jaw tightens, still I’m not backing down this close to the goal. “I’ll have to be careful.”
“Call me as soon as you’re done.”
“Okay. Thanks, bro.” I’m ready to say goodnight, but I hesitate. I want to ask him one more thing, even if he’ll give me shit for it. He’s going to gloat, but I don’t care.
“What?”
“Do you know how to get in touch with Hope? Like did she give you her number or anything?”
“About time you got your head out of your ass.”
“Just tell it to me.”
“I wish I could. She didn’t give it to me. She was into you, not me, remember?”
I remember it so well.
Disappointment sinks in my chest. “I just thought you might—”
“Don’t worry, bro. You get that video, and we’ll find her. It’s going to work out. I’ve got a good feeling about this.”
I wish I did. I’m worried and alone out here, and damn this technology. I’ve got to get that confession.
Sunrise finds me on the bench outside Ritual Roasters waiting for Clyde Shaw to reappear. Today is the day.
My phone is in my pocket ready to record, and my heart beats hard in my chest. Freedom is within my grasp. I’m going to meet this guy, and he’s going to tell me what I need to know. It ends today.
An hour later, my confidence is less strong.
I leave the bench to enter the minimalistic coffee shop. It’s a spare, wide-open beige room with a black granite counter in the center. Behind it is a massive, stainless steel mechanism of coffee roasters and brewers.
I order a regular coffee and an egg sandwich. I’ll give it to them, it’s