“What does Daisy do with that radio show?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it. What did she do with it? “She plays music in the morning. She’s cheerful, I guess. But she also talks about charities and ways . . .” He closed his eyes. “Ways that the community can help other people. You’re way smarter than me, Mom.”

His mother chuckled quietly. “Say that into my phone. I want to make it my ringtone.”

He laughed with her, feeling a little bit right for the first time in a long time. “I listen to Daisy’s program sometimes,” he said. “She goes by Poppy, you know.”

“I know. I’ve been listening to her morning show for months. I recognized her yesterday when she was busy keeping that FBI agent boyfriend of hers from ripping your head off.”

He was surprised. “You didn’t say anything.”

“I didn’t think it was the right time to ask for an autograph,” she said dryly. “I was busy keeping Detective Sokolov from ripping your head off.”

He sighed. “I guess I deserved that.”

“Yep,” she said, popping the “p.” “You really did. But not all of it. You deserved for them to be furious with you. You didn’t deserve to be knocked around. Even though I understood why that cop did it. But back to Daisy. She uses her platform for good, Jeffy. I’ve heard her talk about pet adoptions and raising money for homeless kids. She’s brought on self-defense experts and a few weeks ago even brought on her sponsor from AA and they talked about addiction and staying sober. She uses her platform for good.”

“I don’t have a platform. Not anymore. I mean, I quit the Gabber, but even if I hadn’t, it’s closed down.” His boss was probably even facing charges for knowingly posting a video of a sexual assault. Which was warranted, the sleazy bastard.

I am so glad I kept all my records. If he hadn’t, he might have been arrested, too.

His mother chose a new color of embroidery floss and threaded her needle. “Last I checked, that story you wrote had over a hundred thousand hits. People are even watching your YouTube channel.”

He thought his eyes might be bugging out. “You know about my YouTube channel?”

She drew a rueful breath. “I do now. Let’s just say your aunt Patricia has explained it all to me.”

And likely embarrassed his mother in the process. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

“I know you are. You got in over your head, Jeffy. But now you’re on the shore and you have a chance to try swimming the river again. You know the pitfalls and the risks. You can make different choices. And, if you make good ones, you can at least help someone else, even if Mercy Callahan never forgives you.”

His gaze shot to hers. “You knew that was what was really bothering me, didn’t you?”

She gave him a knowing smile. “Like I said, I’m not as smart as you, but I have raised you. I’ve seen you checking your messages and I know you’ve started to call the Sokolovs’ house more than once.”