Chapter 6 — Ethan Asks Why Nobody Asked Him First
The party had mostly resumed by then.
Music continued inside.
Birthday cake waited on the dining table.
But Ethan remained near the guesthouse.
Richard noticed.
“You okay?”
Ethan shrugged.
“Yeah.”
Richard knew that meant no.
“You can tell me.”
Ethan looked toward him.
“Why did you think it was me?”
Richard didn’t answer immediately.
“You were holding the card.”
“That’s why you asked.”
“Yes.”
“Not why you decided.”
Richard stared at him.
Ethan continued.
“You asked where I got it.”
“I told you.”
“Then you looked at me like you’d already decided I was lying.”
Richard felt embarrassed again.
“You’re right.”
Ethan had been helping at the party because his mother was one of Richard’s longtime friends.
He had come early.
Moved chairs.
Carried drink cases.
Helped younger kids find their parents.
Then picked up one object from a kitchen counter.
Within seconds, Richard treated him differently.
“Was it because I’m a teenager?” Ethan asked.
Richard considered lying.
Then didn’t.
“Probably partly.”
Ethan nodded.
“That’s what I thought.”
Richard sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
“You already said that.”
“I know.”
Then:
“I’m saying it again because I understand better what I’m apologizing for now.”
Ethan looked at him.
Richard continued.
“I saw a suspicious situation.”
“Instead of investigating the situation, I started investigating you.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
That was exactly it.
Then he pointed toward Sophie.
“She put the card there.”
“Yes.”
“Are you mad at her?”
Richard looked toward his daughter.
“Extremely.”
Sophie heard him.
“Great.”
Richard added:
“And separately proud that she cared enough about Mr. Collins to worry about Jasper.”
Sophie looked surprised.
“Both things can happen simultaneously.”
Ethan smiled.
“Sounds inconvenient.”
“Parenting frequently is.”