The one person who has been a constant my entire life is gone. I’m not allowed to talk to him. I don’t even know when I’ll see him again.

What good would it be to take a daughter away from her father?

Although what good would it be to deny your mother your company? the angel on my shoulder whispers into my ear.

But I am going, I remind it. I am fucking going.

“Ally?” Marian says as she bites her lip. “There are a few people downstairs who want to say goodbye to you. Please let them.”

I cover my face with my hands so she doesn’t see the tears I’ve been fighting. Once I start, the floodgates will open and I won’t be able to stop.

I’m going to leave the real hysterical sobbing for when I’m in Florida.

I’m Paula’s problem now.

“Who’s downstairs?” I ask, but I already know. It’s going to be Rob, and Jan and Julia, and the whole Gleason clan.

Including Neil.

“It was pretty much impossible to keep any of them away. And I know it’s hard for you, but they’ve also had your back. Nobody is talking. Every person in this town is protecting you. You’re one of us. It doesn’t matter where you live. Plus, you’ll come back here for college.”

“True.” Even though I won’t be eligible for most of the scholarships I was going to apply for since I’ll no longer be a Wisconsin resident. And there goes that Academic Excellence Scholarship, which is all Dana’s for the taking now. I’ll also have to pay out-of-state tuition, which will be even more expensive. “I hope. That’s what I want.”

“If it’s what you want, then it’s going to happen,” Marian replies with a confident nod.

Yeah, like what I want makes a difference anymore.

“We also have pizza downstairs. Good pizza.” Marian wiggles her eyebrows at me. “And frozen custard.”

“From Culver’s?”

Marian scoffs. “Of course. Do you think we’re going to skimp on your last night here?” She laughs before she turns a little sad.

“Hey.” I go over and hug her. “I know I’ve been a tad, um …”

“Withdrawn? Moody? Sullen?”

“Yes. I appreciate everything. And I will see you again.”

“Oh, if you think some huge scandal is going to tear us apart, you don’t know me at all. Now, let’s go downstairs. If you get uncomfortable, the safe words are ‘Rob’s an ass.’ ”

“Aren’t safe words supposed to be things that aren’t likely to be uttered?”

“Right.” She holds my hand as we start walking toward the stairs. I can hear familiar voices in the kitchen. “So I guess it should be ‘Rob’s a genius.’ ”

“Do I hear my name?” Rob bellows from below. “Can’t stop thinking of me, huh?”