“What?” Chloe laughs, her eyes dancing. “The lasagna sounds great.”
After the waitress is gone, Chloe pins me with a look. “Please tell me you aren’t paying for the graduation party.”
“I’m not. It’s all Roy and Rose. And don’t worry, it’s not big, just a few close friends and family.”
And speaking of family, now would probably be a good time to tell her I invited Dad.
“Will you be there?” she asks Adley.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“About the party, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay, what’s up?” Chloe grabs her water and takes a drink.
“I invited Dad.”
Chloe spits out the water she just sipped, and Adley jumps to avoid it.
Wiping her chin with a napkin, Chloe says, “Why on Earth would you do that?”
“Because he’s our father.”
Chloe glances toward Adley, and I know she wants to say something about our childhood, but is afraid to in front of someone else.
“She knows.”
“Good, then I don’t feel bad for what I’m about to say. He was a shit father. Still is.”
“Have you been over there recently?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Chloe has always helped me with Dad, but she prefers to have little interaction, so she chooses to do things like landscaping and yard maintenance.
“No, I’ve been busy.”
“I know you have. But he’s been different lately.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Chloe rolls her eyes. “Come on, Linc, you aren’t seriously going to fall for that shit, are you? He’s done this before. He gets sober, is nice to us for a few days, falls off the wagon, and reverts back to his normal asshole self.”
I shake my head. “He’s different this time.”
“Different how?”
“I can’t explain it. It’s just something you’ll have to see. But I truly believe he’s different.”
“Linc—”
“Listen…” Reaching across the table, I place a hand over Chloe’s. “I know he’s an asshole. And I know it’s easier for you to pretend he doesn’t exist half the time. But I wouldn’t have invited him if I didn’t think he was actually trying to make some changes. I told you about the albums, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” she huffs. “But that doesn’t mean anything.”
“I know it doesn’t. And this is just as hard for me. I’m not asking you to forgive him or trust him again, because Lord knows that’s something I may never be able to do. But I’m asking you to have an open mind and an open heart. He can’t change the past, but he also can’t change the present or future if we don’t give him the room to do so.”
“I’m never going to forgive him.”
“I know that. You don’t have to look at him or talk to him if you don’t want to. And if you really don’t want him there, tell me now, and I’ll call the whole thing off.”
Chloe links her hands behind her head and looks up at the ceiling. When her eyes find mine again, I see the resolve. “He can come.”