“Right,” CJ scoffed. He downed the rest of his drink and stiffened his shoulders. “Papa doesn’t say anything because he doesn’t want to press you, but down inside, he wants you here. Believe it!” He looked away then turned back. “You know, it’s about time you start thinking about others beside yourself, ‘Chelle. He needs you close by, not 200 kilometers away. Time to get off the pity party.”
Michelle stiffened. “Pity party?”
CJ set his jaw. “You know what I’m talking about.”
Just then, her father came back out. Michelle had all she could do to hold her anger from spilling out as he joined them at the railing. He handed Michelle her glass of wine and placed his hand firmly on CJ’s shoulder. Leveling a back-off-and-let-it-be gaze at his son, he said, “Ah, it’s good to have the two most im
