I shut the door, faced my children, and kept my voice steady.
“Nobody is in trouble. I need the truth. What did Dad tell you?”
Lily looked at Sam.
Sam looked at Claire.
Claire closed her eyes.
“Several weeks ago, Dad said he might be nominated for this award,” Claire began. “He said teachers sometimes ask us questions.”
“He said we shouldn’t forget all the things he did for us.”
Sam interrupted. “He didn’t tell us exactly what to say.”
Grace nodded.
“He just kept reminding us about things he bought or trips he paid for.”
Claire looked furious now.
“He said if anyone at school asked what kind of dad he was, we shouldn’t forget all the things he did for us.”
Lily said, “He promised my bike.”
“He called me ungrateful. He said after everything he pays for, I could do one thing for him.”
Sam said, “And my game.”
