Across the street, Mrs. Patterson had stopped watering her flowers.
I didn’t care.
My father extended the keys toward me again.
“Look, I know I missed things. That’s why I’m here. I’m trying to make up for it.”
“With a car?”
“It’s a pretty good start.”
He looked at Ray.
“Better than anything he got you, I’d bet.”
I glanced toward the house.
“Wait here.”
I went inside.
The wooden box remained on the kitchen table.
When I brought it outside, Ray’s expression changed.
“Jake.”
I ignored him.
My father stared at the box.
“What’s that?”
“My birthday present.”
He actually laughed.
“That’s what he gave you?”
Ray’s face turned red.
I opened the lid.
“No.”
I pulled out the statements.
“This is.”
My father frowned.
I gave him the first one.
He read the deposit.
“Forty dollars?”
“Turn it over.”
