Page 50 of Rise (Rise & Fall Duet 1)

I wiggled under his stare. Then I forced myself to be still.

“Because the world waits on me. I don’t wait on it.”

There wasn’t a smile, but something on my father’s face said I’d pleased him. “That’s right. Do they start the class before you arrive?”

“No, sir. Not now.” After only a couple of days of being a few minutes late, the teacher had begun to wait to start the lessons.

“That’s my boy.”

I usually tried to stay out of my father’s way, but I liked this kind of attention. I’d done good.

“Where’s Mother?”

“Getting dressed for dinner.” He leaned forward. “She’s the only person you ever wait for. Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“When she tells you a time to meet, always be twenty minutes early. Don’t forget. Not even when you’re my age.”

I nodded again. I really wanted to know why, but I didn’t dare question Father.

He stared at me, and I tried to stay still. The pleased look came back. I puffed out my chest but didn’t have the courage to ask why Mother was different.

“Because she’s special.”

And so was Father. He could read my mind.