Chapter 4

The awards ceremony began at 9:00 am, and the seat in the middle of the front row remained empty.

At 9:20 am, Dad sent me a message. "Danny got into a fight with someone at school. I'll come as soon as I get things sorted out."

At 9:40 am, the principal called my name. "First place in the provincial math competition goes to Nathan Reynolds!"

I walked onto the stage to thunderous applause. Eleanor handed me the trophy, then leaned closer and quietly asked, "Where's your dad?"

I glanced at the empty seat in the front row.

"He's not coming."

At 10:00 am, another message from Dad appeared on my phone.

"The other kid's parents won't let this go. Nate, you're the mature one. Don't hold it against Danny."

I stared at the message for a moment before turning off my phone.

…

After signing the enrollment confirmation for Westbrook High School, I didn't bother returning to my classroom. Instead, I went straight home.

The front gate was open, and a table laden with dishes had been set up inside. Daniel sat on the couch with a Band-Aid on his elbow. He was unboxing a new phone while Dad sat beside him, helping him install the SIM card.

"This is the last time I'm replacing your phone," Dad warned. "Don't get into any more fights."

"But he was the one who taunted me for not having a dad!"

"That's enough." Dad gently ruffled his hair. "If anyone says that again, tell your teacher. Don't worry. I've got your back."

I stood in the doorway, watching them.

When Dad finally looked up and saw me, the SIM card slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor.

"Nate?"

His eyes darted to the clock on the wall, and all the color drained from his face.

"The awards ceremony…"

"It's over."

"I was going to be there," he explained, scrambling to his feet. "But Danny got into a fight, and the other family insisted we pay for a new phone. I couldn't just leave them to deal with it alone."

Daniel immediately raised his arm. "Nate, look. I'm hurt."

The wound beneath his Band-Aid hadn't even bled through.

Dad followed my gaze and noticed it. His voice grew quieter. "It might not be serious, but he's still hurt. His biological father is gone, and I promised I'd protect him."

I placed my trophy on the table.

"What about the promises you made to me?"

Dad went rigid.

He'd promised to pick me up from school. He'd promised to buy me gloves. He'd promised he wouldn't forget about me anymore. He'd also promised he'd be there today, no matter what.

He hadn't kept a single one of those promises.

"Nate, please don't be like this." His eyes reddened. "I know I've hurt you. Once Danny settles in, I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"How long will that take?"

"What?"

"How long until he settles in?" I looked him straight in the eye. "A day? A month? Or the rest of my life?"

Dad opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Claire walked out of the kitchen, looking displeased.

"Do you really have to make a scene today? Your dad already has enough on his plate. You're the older brother. Can't you just be a little more understanding?"

I smiled. "Sure. I won't make a fuss anymore."

Then, I went back to my room and slung the backpack I'd packed long ago over my shoulders. I took only my admission letter, my prize money, and my asthma inhaler. Nothing else.

When I walked out, Dad was in the kitchen cutting the cake, while Daniel stood beside him, insisting on getting the slice with the chocolate plaque.

Neither of them even noticed me leave.

At 4:00 pm that day, the bus pulled out of the station right on schedule, and my phone wouldn't stop vibrating.

Dad called me 17 times.

His final message read, "Nate, I saved you a piece of cake. Where did you go?"

I didn't reply. Instead, I pulled out my SIM card and snapped it in half.

Outside the window, the town slowly faded into the distance, growing smaller and smaller until it was little more than a speck behind me.

This time, Dad hadn't lost me. I was the one who had chosen to leave him behind.