Nothing was said between me and my father the next day about what happened when Maxwell surfaced, he went back to his usual way of speaking to me and I returned to trying to stay out of his way.
Finally I had to approach the subject of Lily’s party with him, making my way downstairs, I hovered just outside the room before stepping into the living room and leaning against the door frame. ‘Umm dad?’ I called nervously, looking over at the muscular form sat in the recliner staring at the television screen, a beer in his hand.
My father grunted to me, telling me he was listening, summoning up my courage I took a step closer, ‘it’s Lily’s birthday tomorrow and she’s having a party on Saturday night, every kid has been invited . . umm I wondered if it was OK for me to go?’ I rushed out. Watc
