Page 133 of When Ben Loved Tim

“Because her father stopped by.”

I put on a puzzled expression. “Weird. How come?”

“He was trying to find Allison.” The worry deepens on her face. “He smelled a little drunk.”

“It’s her mom’s birthday,” I explain.

“Oh!” My mom presses a hand to her heart. “The poor girl! And that poor man!”

“Yeah,” I say, not feeling any sympathy for him. “I think Allison wanted some alone time to deal with everything.”

“That’s understandable,” my mom says before wrapping her arms around me. “I’m so grateful that our family hasn’t gone through anything like that. Count your blessings.”

I hug her back, reminded more than ever of how lucky I am.

* * * * *

I figure Allison will want a change of clothes, so early the next morning, I drive over to her house. She gave me her entire keychain. I won’t have any trouble getting in. I could knock, but I’d rather avoid her father. And besides, I’ve practically become a master at stealthily unlocking front doors. The house is silent when I stand and listen in the entryway. I creep upstairs to her bedroom and push open the door, a rectangle of light moving across her darkened room to the bed… which is occupied.

Allison’s father raises his head, shielding his eyes against the light. “Alli?”

I’m frozen with indecision, but only at first. I wordlessly move to her dresser and begin gathering clothes.

“What are you doing here?” her father growls.

“Your daughter will need something fresh to wear today. Especially if we go talk to the police.” It’s an empty threat, but I hope it’ll make him hesitate the next time he loses his temper.

I hear shuffling behind me before the light flicks on. “Where is she?”

“Somewhere safe.”

“Safe from what?” he demands.

“You!” I snarl, spinning around to face him. My anger has found a target, and it’s the right one. “You’re lucky I don’t tell my parents everything! If I had my way, you’d never see her again!”

Allison’s father is standing not far away from me, wearing a rumpled dress shirt and slacks that he no doubt passed out in. He raises a finger at me. “You better start making sense! Is she with that boy?”

“Is that really all you can think about?” I demand. “That she found someone who actually loves her and treats her right? Ronnie should have givenyoua black eye instead!”

Allison’s father scrunches up his face in indignation. “All I did was throw him out!”

“I’m not talking about Ronnie.”

I watch as his expression goes from confused to horrified. “What are you sayin’?”

“You don’t remember what happened?”

“Tell me!” her father demands.

“Or what? You’re going to hit me like you hit her?” I almost hope he does, because I won’t hesitate to report him. Not one second.

“You’re making it up,” her father says, shaking his head.

“She has a cut on her cheek. You’ll see for yourself.”

“A cut?” His fingers seek out the wedding ring on his left hand before realization dawns. “Oh lord!” He sits on the edge of her bed, shaking his head while fingering the wedding ring in agitation. “What you must think of me,” he whimpers to himself. “If you’re watching down on us, you must be so ashamed.”

I don’t know if he’s talking to his god or his dead wife, but it’s a pitiful sight, especially when he looks up at me with tears in his eyes. “What happened?”