“I think I’m going to use the bathroom too,” said my mom, which was odd because she doesn’t like using strange bathrooms.

“Me too,” said Kate.

“Me three!” I said, because it was usually just the three of us doing stuff because my dad wasn’t at home much. It’s sort of a joke in our family, mostly just between me and Mom because Kate never thinks it’s funny and just rolls her eyes when one of us says it.

“You guys are just walking away? Leaving me here?” My dad was trying to sound like he was making a joke, but he was upset.

“No, Dad,” I said. “I’ll wait until they get back.”

My mom and sister left the little room, and my dad asked me about what shows I’d been watching on TV and about how school was going, but he didn’t seem too interested in my answers. It seemed like he was just waiting to be sure my mom and sister were really gone so he could ask about them.

“Are they okay, Champ?” he asked. “Emotionally, I mean. They’ve had so many changes in such a short time. With the move and everything.”

I shrugged. I’d had a lot of changes too. There was no way I was going to tell him that they fought constantly about Kate not eating and my mom not smiling and worrying about money, and how my new school was full of old guy–looking kids and kids with emotional problems and braids wrapped around their heads like crowns, and how I missed you and the rest of my friends and our house and Circle Square School and him. Especially him.

“They’re okay, I guess.”

“It’s just temporary,” he said. “I’ve got to work through some things. Get some clarity. Get right with myself. And make a few amends for the misunderstandings.”

I nodded.

“A word of advice, if you’ll allow me,” he said. “Don’t pay attention to what’s in the media. Some people are looking for attention. Exaggerating. You know who I am. You know me.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. He was right. He was my dad and I knew him better than anyone. And I liked him better than anyone too.

“It’s okay, Dad,” I said. “It’ll be okay.”

“Oh, Rodney, you were always such a sensitive kid.”

“Yeah, I think I better go to the bathroom too.” I got up and went out the door. My mom was waiting in the hallway in front of a door marked Women. I could hear water running inside.

“Kate’s been in there a long time,” said my mom. “Should I knock?”

That was a weird thing for her to ask. I’m the kid. How was I supposed to know what she should do?

“I guess.”

Mom knocked on the door. “Kate?” she called.

Kate didn’t answer.