“Fuck it!” I tried to head for the door, but he blocked me, grabbing my arm.

“Son, I’m sorry. But…” He rubbed his face hard, overwhelmed. “This is complicated for me too. You know how much I love your mother and don’t want her to suffer. But… I understand your side. That’s why I always stood by you, not Fred.”

Yes, that was true. If not for him, no one would have noticed if I died. At least before I became Fred’s stand-in for 4 Nipes—the one who took the stage when he ...