Page 119 of Antagonist

I take a breath and go inside.

A walk by the lake may be just what I need.

HARRISON

“Look at me,Daddy. I’m going high up,” Megan screams at the top of her lungs from the swing.

“Funny how only two months ago she had a meltdown on a swing, and now she’s ready to fly out of this one,” I say to Stella.

“Yeah,” she says. “Funny how the influence of the right person can make such a positive change, even when it doesn’t have the best of starts.”

“Hmm…”

“Hmm…” she mimics me.

I stare at her, and she gives me one of her side looks.

“Mike’s shift should finish at any moment now. He’s coming over after,” she says.

“He’s on shift?”

“Uh-huh.”

“He went to work after spending all that time at the fair last night, looking for Megan, and then taking you home?” I shake my head.

“He’s a good guy, isn’t he?”

The biggest realization of my life hits me so hard that my knees almost buckle.

“Stella, I need to go.”

“Fucking finally,” she says, hugging me tightly. “Go get him, tiger.”

“Nope, please don’t ever say that again.” I hug her back.

“Leopard? Dinosaur?”

“See ya, Stella.”

I go over to the swing and wait for Megan to slow down.

“Hey, princess.”

“Hey, Daddy. Did you see how high I went?”

“I did. Very impressive. Hey, honey, do you mind if I leave you with Mommy and Mike? I just need to go see someone.”

“Okay.”

She swings again like it’s no big deal, and I’ve never felt so proud of my daughter. Megan’s strong, resilient, and super smart.

Mostly takes after her mother, and her mother is right about a lot of things.

I rush to my car and drive to Fletcher’s place. His car isn’t outside, but sometimes he keeps it in the garage.

There’s no answer when I ring the bell. I go around the back in case he’s in the studio, but there’s no sign of life.