CHAPTER 22

 

Dan set the book down. “Certainly nothing like our Jack. That guy had balls. God.” He stared into the fire. “Why are my kids such losers? What did we do wrong?”

“You can only do what you can do. I know how you feel.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Take it for what it is. Your mother and I tried, but there comes a point...”

“Fuck you, old man. You’re lucky we let you live here all these years. We could’ve just shipped you off to some old folks’ home years ago.” He hurled the book at his father’s feet. “There. You can finish the book. I’m fucking done with this shit!” He left the old man with the book at his feet.

“Dan...” Grandpa’s face held pure disappointment. He got up to follow, but only took a couple of steps. He looked down at the book. “I need to finish it.” He went back to the chair and picked up the book. “The Boy and His Backpack...”