The Daughter They Abandoned Is The Doctor They Can’t Reach Chapter 13
“Sure,” I said.
He seemed thrown by how calm I sounded. There was a two-second pause before he went on.
“Getting a full scholarship is a good thing. Your mother and I are proud of you. When is the awards ceremony?”
“It was on the invitation.”
“Nora, we’re only concerned about you.” He cleared his throat, the tone changing almost immediately. “But that news story is making us look bad. The neighbors all think we never supported you. You need to find a chance to explain to the reporter that our family has always supported your education.”
I set down my fork.
“How, exactly, am I supposed to clarify that? Should I clarify that you gave my 529 college fund to Tessa? Or that I paid all my application costs by working at the bookstore?”
The silence on the other end was immediate.
I kept going. “Those things are true. Do you want me to lie to the reporter?”
It stayed quiet for a long time. When my father spoke again, the gentleness was strained.
“The fund was for Tessa. She lost her mother. She needed it more than—”
“I know your reasons.”
I didn’t want to hear that same explanation again.
He drew in a breath. “We’re coming to the awards ceremony. Your mother, me, and Tessa. If the whole family is there together, people will see our relationship isn’t anything like what the news implied.”
So that was what they wanted.
Not to see me.
But to be seen with me.
“There’s a guest limit,” I said.
“Then ask the school—”
“I have a seminar.”
I checked the time, leaving no room for discussion.
“That’s all for now.”
Before he could respond, I hung up.