He did.
“Boots can wait.”
I gave him another.
“Truck service next month.”
Then another.
“Brought lunch all week.”
My father’s smile vanished.
“What is this?”
“My college account.”
“Okay.”
“Ray and Mom opened it.”
I found the statement I was looking for.
“Danny needed new glasses. I’ll make it up next month.”
Then the next one.
“Made up the $40 I missed, plus this month: $80.”
I held them toward him.
“Those are Ray’s kids. Danny and Cara.”
My father said nothing.
“He pays child support. He helps Mom with our bills. And every month, he still saves something for me.”
Ray finally spoke.
“Jake, that’s enough.”
“No.”
I turned toward him.
“And you called this nothing this morning.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be a big deal.”
“You needed work boots.”
“My boots were fine.”
“One of them has duct tape on it.”
“They’re comfortable.”
