Jaylene was right. I became really good friends with Derek and Lily. I had never had married friends before, but it fit.

We’d just hang out in their apartment. They never let me feel like a third wheel. It was creepy how much Derek and I had in common. Even down to the random food combinations we liked.

Lily worked the night shift at the hospital. So Derek and I started going for early morning jogs through the park before he’d go pick her up. I sometimes worried Lily would get jealous, but she always said that Derek just wanted to have a little sister.

On our jogs, Derek would ask me questions about home. If I missed it, did I plan to go back? He also asked a lot of questions about my dad. Normally I didn’t mind but one day, he wouldn’t give it a rest.

“Derek, do you ever think that maybe I’d like to go a day without thinking about my dad? What’s your deal with the 20 question drill?” I snapped.

“Look, I’m sorry. I just wonder about him sometimes.”

“Huh?”

“I think it’s time you talk to my mom…”