Page 129 of Homecoming

“I’m not sure the world is ready for Dan Torrington’s offspring,” Kara said.

Kirby laughed, which pleased her. “I’m sure he’ll be great, just like his dad.”

“Time’s up,” the guard said in a jarring reminder of where they were and what was at stake.

Kirby stood and leaned in to hug Kara again before they were told not to.

“I love you,” Kara said. “I’ll never give up on you, and neither will Dan.”

“Means everything. Love you, too.”

After Kirby was led away, Kara broke down into sobs.

Dan held her, stroking her back and telling her it was going to be okay.

“You were right. I wasn’t prepared to see him in here.” Kara used her sleeve to wipe the tears off her face. “I’d like to see Keith, too.”

“I’ll let them know.”

While he was gone,Kara blew her nose and tried to pull herself together, knowing her brusque older brother would be put off by her tears. Even though she wasn’t close to Keith, seeing him in an orange jumpsuit put a new lump in her throat.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Keith said with a crooked grin for his sister.

“Are you doing okay?”

“I’m just great. Never thought I’d see you in these parts again.”

“Funny how a single phone call can change everything.”

“Thanks for coming even though you had no good reason to.”

“I had two good reasons to come, and I’m glad I did. Other than this, of course, it’s been good for me to be back here. It’s been too long.”

“Well, I, for one, wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d told us to fuck off after everything that went down.”

“I’d never do that.”

“You’re a better person than I am.”

“Duh.”

Keith barked out a laugh that softened his rough exterior. “Good one.”

“Kirby just told me something interesting,” Dan said, filling Keith in on how his brother had checked his location after he dropped him off.

“He’s such a fucking mother hen.”

“Who keeps you out of trouble,” Kara said.

“Yeah, he does, and I feel sick that he’s gotten caught up in this bullshit.” He gave Kara an intense stare. “You know it’s bullshit, right? I may be an asshole at times, but I’m not a murderer.”

“I know that, Keith.”

“That’s the worst part of this whole thing, you know? That people could think I’d hurt a woman. I’ve had my share of fights and scrapes, but always with someone who could fight back. Never with a woman.”

“That’s good to know,” Dan said. “We can resist their efforts to introduce your past charges by saying you’ve only ever fought with men. Never with a woman.”

“Never, ever,ever. If they say otherwise, it’s a fucking lie.”

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