Page 131 of For Your Own Good

Home. He could go home and study while watching the news. Boring, but probably the best option. He’s not an FBI agent, he doesn’t have access to the evidence and interviews and everything else, so why even think about it? Not his problem.

Still, it bothers him. Not being able to do anything is the worst feeling of all. Dad doesn’t have a saying for that.

TEDDY IS BACKat home, watching the news. Once in a while, everything is just as it should be. Today is one of those days.

Except Allison isn’t around to see it.

That’s the one thing he can’t fix. He can’t take back the lie, can’t even come up with a reasonable explanation for it. And he’s tried. God knows, he’s tried. And he’s not even sure if he believes in God.

All of it could’ve been avoided if he had agreed to have a child. Just one. Everyone would still be alive, and Allison would still be here.

Thinking about this makes the worms start to move around in his stomach.

He turns up the TV louder, forcing himself to enjoy his success. And he does enjoy it, right up until the doorbell rings.

81

FRANK. AGAIN.

Teddy stifles any frustration, shoving it deep down inside so Frank can’t see it.

“Twice in one week!” Teddy says, opening the door to let Frank inside. “How nice to see you again.”

Frank smiles without showing his teeth, and it’s strange. “Sorry to barge in on you again. I tried calling, but I know you must be so busy.”

Teddy smacks his forehead with his palm. “I’m so sorry. I had it on my list to return your call, and then the news came on and... Well, I’m sure you’ve seen it.”

“I have.” Frank’s smile disappears. Solemn face. “It’s devastating. Simply devastating.”

They walk into the living room, where Frank again sits on the couch.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Teddy says. “Some tea, perhaps?”

“No, no, that won’t be necessary. I’d just like to go over the programfor the memorial, if that’s all right.” Frank reaches into his pocket and pulls out the agenda distributed to all the speakers. “Do you mind?” Frank says.

“Of course not.” Teddy sits.

For the next half hour, Frank reviews every item on the program. His idea is to insert a prayer whenever possible. After every speech, ideally. Teddy explains, repeatedly, that representatives from other faiths will be there and that, yes, they will be leading prayers as well.

A negotiation ensues.

“I believe it’s important that I lead the final prayer,” Frank says. “Given that I’m family.”

Family. The Belmont family is an exclusive one. As headmaster, Teddy is now part of it.

Frank is not.

“The official programs have already been printed,” Teddy says. And they were damn expensive. No chance he’s going to reprint them. “I’ll announce at the beginning that we’ll have prayers throughout the day. The master list will be at the podium for everyone to see. And, yes, you will go last.”

“Thank you, I do appreciate that.” Frank smiles for real, with teeth and everything. “Now, before I go, I’d really like it if you would pray with me.”

“You want me to what now?”

“Pray with me. Please. After the terrible news today, I think the two of us should pray for Belmont,” Frank says. “And for you.”

“For me?”

“Of course.”