Rose's mother Melinda was my only daughter," Mr. Laverne began. "She was always a headstrong, rebellious girl. Rose takes after her," he said and smiled.
Beautiful and wild, like mother like daughter, I thought.
"I split up with my wife, Melinda's mother, when she was twelve. Her mother got full custody. She resented me for it. Somehow, she blamed the divorce entirely on me. Maybe my ex-wife bad-mouthed me, I don't know," Mr. Laverne shook his head.
"When she turned sixteen, she showed up at my doorstep. She was six months pregnant at the time," he paused.
I didn't say anything and just nodded to let him know I was listening.
"She wouldn't tell me who the father is. She told me her mother kicked her out, and she needed a place to stay. I had no problem with that since I've been wantin
