The First Counsel

* * *

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Don't be mad," Nora says, getting out of the Suburban. "I just wanted to--"

"Just wanted to what? Follow me around? Run me off the road?"

"I . . . I just wanted to see where you were going," she whispers, staring at her feet.

"What?"

"You told me you were going to visit your dad . . . but something about the way you said it . . . I just wanted to be sure you were okay . . ."

I look over at Harry, then back to Nora. Her head's down and she's kicking at a few pebbles in the dirt. She's still hesitating. Afraid to open herself up. Every other time, that's when she's been burned. And with everything going on . . . the way we're tied together . . . she's risking it all just by being here. But she still came.

Even as I move toward her, I know Trey would tell me to walk away. He's wrong. There're some things you have to fight for--even if it means losing it all. No matter what anyone says, there's no easy anything.

Slowly, I lift her chin. "I'm glad you're here."

She can't help but smile. "So you're really going to see your dad?"

I nod.

"Can I meet him?"

"I-I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

She pauses at my reaction. "Why not?"

"Because . . . Why would you want to meet him anyway?"

"He's your dad, isn't he?"

She says it so quick, like there's no other answer. But that doesn't mean she's getting in.

"If you don't want me to, I'd understand."

I'm sure she would--she wrote the book, the prequel, and the sequel on this stuff. And maybe that's part of the problem. Once again, we're back to fear. And loyalty. I can't ask for it if I don't give it. "So you don't care that he's--"

"He's your father," she says. "You don't have to hide him."

"I'm not hiding him."

"I want to meet him, Michael."

It's a hard one to refuse. "Okay, but only if you--"

"Harry, I'm riding with Michael," she calls out. Before I can say a word, she dashes for my car and hops inside.

"Sorry about your bumper," Harry says to me as he heads back to his Suburban. "I have a budget to pay for that if you want."

I'm talking to Harry, but still staring at Nora. "I guess . . . whatever . . . yeah."

As he opens his door, I ask, "You don't still have to watch her, do you?"

"I won't come in, Michael, but I do have to follow."

"That's fine as long as you know one thing. When it comes to my dad, you should steer a little clear. He doesn't like cops."