Henry
I started reading Delphina and the Starlit Sea the night Piper and I ate pizza in her room.
When I got back to Dad’s apartment, he wasn’t home. Good thing, because I was riled up. I poured a soda, purposefully ignoring the clanking beer bottles stored along the shelves of the refrigerator door, then went to my room and pulled out the Kindle I rarely use.
Delphina’s an orphan, I learned that night.
Also, Starlit Sea is one hell of a story.
I read until I finished. It was close to dawn when I downloaded the two sequels and dove into Delphina and the Siren’s Secret, pushing on until I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Saturday and Sunday were a blur of sleeping and reading.
I barely spoke to my dad, but not for his lack of trying.
I called Piper, though maybe I shouldn’t have.
My questions felt forced, and her answers sounded clipped.
I was sure that if I could see her, we could work things out.
But she didn’t ask to meet up, so I didn’t push.
Sunday night, I feel a sudden compulsion to go down to the pool, like the water’s shouting up at me. But that’s silly, because I don’t feel like swimming, and if Piper was going down, she would’ve let me know.
I stay on the couch with Delphina and the Coral Crown, hoping Dad will burn the midnight oil at Blitz Brews.
He barrels into the apartment just before ten.
“What’s up?” he asks, shoving my legs over so he can flop down on the couch.
I don’t answer; I’m in the middle of a book.
“Whatcha reading?” he pushes, jostling my foot.
I glance up, annoyed. “The third book in the Delphina trilogy.”
I don’t expect him to have heard of it, but he says, “I’ve seen the movies. Good stuff.”
I swear to god, every time I think I’ve got him nailed down, he surprises me.
I power off my Kindle. “Piper loves the books. That’s why I started reading them.”
“You didn’t read them when you were younger?” He chuckles. “They’re everywhere. You must’ve actively avoided them.”
Maybe. But was it because I was disinterested or because I thought I was better than the masses who’re obsessed with it?
“Did you talk to Tati today?” I ask.
“Nope. Did she come by?” He casually combs his fingers through his hair, like my reply doesn’t matter to him one way or another, but the hope in his voice is hard to miss.
“No. Do you think you ought to reach out to her?”
“I have. She’s gone dark.”
“So that’s it? You’re giving up?”
“I tried, Henry. She doesn’t want to talk.” He shrugs. “I don’t like knowing someone’s angry with me, but what happened the other night wasn’t that big of a deal. She might not be able to get over it, but I already have.”
I don’t get him. He’s a people pleaser—always has been.
But his relationship with Tati is more important than catering to customers at Blitz Brews or making friends with strangers on a fishing excursion.
He’s got real feelings for her, but instead of doing the work to make things right, he’s tossing in the towel.
“Dad, Tati told Piper you were out of control.”
He laughs. “By Tati’s standards, maybe.”
“She had to drive you home and put you to bed.”
“Nah. I was good, buddy. No regrets.”
I stare at him, disbelieving. His eyes are clear. He’s enunciating his words and sitting up straight. He’s not smashed…but I can smell beer on him. What I’m starting to realize is that Davis’s baseline is three drinks in.
The apprehensive feeling in my gut tells me it’ll get worse: four drinks, then five, then six. It’s going to start impacting every facet of his life, from work to home to finances.
To me.
I know this with alarming certainty. I also know that if I point out what I’m finally starting to understand is a problem, I’ll come off as sanctimonious. Like I’m trying to parent him. Like I’m taking Tati’s side.
Davis is gonna do what Davis wants to do.
I’m not sure I want to stick around and become a casualty of his choices.