“Sit down anyway,” said Ben, sliding the finished eggs onto a plate, adding two strips of bacon, and setting it on the table. “You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to, but I’d like you here.”

Caddie seemed about to argue, but then she pulled a chair roughly away from the table and sat. She glared at the plate of food, not looking at either Hudson or her father.

“Where were you all night?” Ben asked.

“Out,” said Caddie curtly.

Ben cracked an egg and poured the contents into the frying pan. “By ‘out’ I assume you mean you were at Brian’s,” he said. “It would have been nice if you’d let me know you weren’t coming home.”

Caddie cast a glance at Hudson. “Why?” she asked. “You didn’t spend it alone. Right?”

Ben turned to her, the spatula in his hand. “Whether I did or not, I expect you to let me know if you’re not coming home,” he said.

Caddie rolled her eyes and snorted. “What, you get laid and all of a sudden you get to act like a real parent?”

“I should have been acting like a real parent all along,” Ben replied. “That was my fault. But it’s not my fault that you’re unhappy, so stop blaming me for that.”

Caddie stood up.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Ben demanded.

“Brian and I are going diving,” said Caddie. “He’s taking me to Monastery.”

“Monastery?” Ben said. “You’re not going to Monastery. It’s an advanced site, and even when the conditions are perfect it’s a dangerous dive.”

“Brian says it’s fine,” Caddie said.

Ben laughed. “Yes, well, Brian’s an idiot,” he informed her.

Caddie bristled. “He’s a good diver,” she said unconvincingly.

Ben slid the eggs from the pan and took them to the table. “You’re not diving Monastery,” he said as he sat down. “And that’s final.”

“I can do what I want!” Caddie yelled.

Ben poked at his eggs, breaking the yoke. He picked up a piece of toast, dipped it into the yellow center, and took a bite before answering. “You can go,” he said, “on one condition. I’m coming with you.”

Caddie shook her head. “I don’t need you to come with me,” she said.

Ben chewed on his toast. “I know a lot more about Monastery than Brian does,” he said. “I also happen to be an actual scuba instructor.” He paused, letting the barb sink in. “And I’m your father,” he concluded.

“I don’t need you,” Caddie said again. She turned away and started to leave.

“If Brian takes you to Monastery,” Ben said, “I will personally make sure that he’s banned from every dive shop and boat in town for taking an uncertified diver in the water.”