My Ex's "C" Was Never Me

father, was waiting for

broke into a warm s

boy, you

nd the simple, genuine affection

nest. He' d taken me in when I was a

lifestyle, but he never judged m

verty was stark, the lack of opportuni

y yards, their clothes wor

way to use Vicky's guilt

staying, Hank," I

searching. "Vicky finally

e than that. I want to do something here. Maybe

en nodded slowly. "Town could u

m. I have

idn't ask where it came fr

ide in his voice. "If you're staying,

re a blur of reconne

tly as Hank' s boy who' d

but Hank' s quiet endor

telling stories about the town, me slowly u

ntly, his presenc

e to college, always believing

rnings about Vicky, dazzled

smell of his coffee filling the air, I f

real. Thi

Hank," I said one morning, watchi

here's someone you need to meet. She's been trying t