Chapter 22 - Alyson

Ben’s face falls when he looks at his phone. Then his  eyes  narrow  ever  so  slightly  with fear.

“Sorry,” he says, and stands. “It’s my mother. I have to take this.”

“Go ahead, honey,” Mom says, not catching the worry in Jim’s face like I do. My anger goes out the window, and I’m concerned for him now. He mentioned having a sick family member. What if they couldn’t fight their illness anymore?

I set my fork down, reaching for my water, and peer into the kitchen, trying to get a read on Jim’s face. His back is to me, but his hand lands on his neck. Shit. Something is wrong.

“Alyson?” Dad says in a tone that lets me know it wasn’t the first time he said my name. “Earth to Alyson.”

“Yeah, sorry. What?”

Everyone laughs. “I asked you how’s work going on the Batmobile.” He winks and Wes stifles a laugh.

“Dad,” I scold. “I told you I can’t talk about it in front of others.”

Mom shakes her head,