Lucky(41)

All Lucky could do was watch from afar as first Reyes and then her father were led from the building in handcuffs. No sign of Priscilla. Lucky got off the bike and wheeled it across the street, desperate to get closer. Her father, who was being led toward a police car, spotted her. He shook his head no. Go get the lockbox, he mouthed. Run. He ducked his head and got in the back of the police car. She couldn’t see him anymore.

Lucky felt numb as she rode back the way she had come. It wasn’t sinking in yet; she half hoped her dad would be there waiting when she returned, telling her he had managed to talk his way out of trouble again. But he wasn’t. The boat was dark and empty. She felt around under his mattress until she found the code for the lockbox, disguised as a recipe. John’s Famous Cajun Rub, the paper said: 3 teaspoons cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 3 teaspoons garlic powder. Her eyes were blurred by tears so she could barely read it. If only he had ever been the kind of dad to have “famous” recipes he made for her, family dinners where she always knew what to expect. She finally managed to get the lockbox open. There was a letter on top of a stack of money.

Dear Lucky,

If you’re reading this, I’ve been arrested. I’m sorry. Take this money, go to a motel for now, then find a cheap apartment. There’s enough in here to at least pay for your first tuition installment, and I’m afraid I can’t say what you should do about the rest—but here’s hoping I’ll be around to help you again soon. Sometimes charges don’t stick. Whatever you do, do not tell anyone you are my daughter. Don’t try to help me. You’re better off on your own.

I love you, kid. We’ll see each other again soon. Promise.

Dad



Lucky read the letter over and over, trying to find the part where he told her exactly what to do, and exactly why and how it was going to be okay—but it wasn’t there. There was no magic formula.

She was on her own.

She locked the box again and put it in her backpack. She packed clothes, as many books as she could fit, and that was it. Time to run. Alone.

When she stepped off the boat, Cary was waiting on the dock. He had a puppy in his arms, brown and black, furry and wriggling, so skinny you could see her ribs.

“This is Betty,” he said, putting her down. “I just picked her up from the ASPCA. The exact kind of dog we dreamed about. Remember? Shepherd, husky, a little of both.”

“Go away. You’re the last person I want to see.” The puppy tumbled over the tops of Lucky’s feet.

“My mom got arrested, too.”

“Really? Because I was there, and I didn’t see her in handcuffs.”

“They came to my house. They got her first, and then she told them where your dad and Reyes were.”

“Of course she did.”

“I’m sorry this is happening. I mean, I’m not sorry my mother is in jail, or Reyes, either—but I know how upset you must be about your dad. I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“You think I’m a liar, but here’s the truth, okay? All of it. Months ago, my mom started talking about the guy who was working for her, how he had a daughter named Lucky and he was working to put her through school. I got curious about the fabulous, smart, apparently quite beautiful Lucky. I came down to the beach, and I found you—and I just, I swear, it was love at first sight. I didn’t want to tell you who I was; I thought that would weird you out. I also figured you didn’t like my mom much, because no one does. So I lied. It went too far, it became too late to come clean. But my feelings have always been real—which is why I kept lying. I was afraid to lose you.”

Betty was weaving through Lucky’s legs, poking her skinny little nose all over her feet until she almost fell over.

“She likes you. And she’s yours.”

“You can’t buy me with a puppy.”

“Well, I couldn’t afford a plane, so…” He smiled that lopsided smile she hadn’t seen in weeks, and she felt herself softening against her will. “We’re supposed to be together. Don’t you see that? We don’t have to be like our parents, we can just be us. Accept it. It’s destiny.”

Lucky straightened up and tried to ignore the puppy. “I was supposed to be with a guy named Alex, but he doesn’t exist.”

“Do you really want to be alone?” He stepped forward, looked down at her in that intense way of his. “Because your dad is gone, Lucky. He’s not getting out anytime soon.”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

Betty yapped, and Lucky leaned down to pat her head. Cary crouched in front of her. “Come on, just look at this puppy. Betty needs you. Could you look at me?” he pleaded. “I want you to forgive me for lying to you when we were first together. And I want you to know that I swear on my life, on Betty’s life, that I will never lie to you again about anything, ever, not as long as I live. I need you, Lucky—and you need me. Supporting yourself through school is going to be next to impossible. I know how much you want it. And I want it for you. I love you. You love me, too. Admit it. You do.”

“It’s not a good way to start a relationship, not knowing anything real about the other person.”

“Why can’t we just make it up as we go along? Blank slate.”