father waved in shame, which he should not have done because he could lose his job. They don’t have cars where Zias is from but he mastered driving like it was a task as simple as brushing ones’ teeth. The truck trudged along at a safe speed and I picked through my CDs attempting to find something mellow and something to break the ear splitting silence. I settled on an indie band I had much favored for years. I closed my eyes and let the lyrics wash over me.

Oh how I loved that band, they could play and write and sing, such a talented group. I opened my eyes and peered over at Zias, knowing I had picked a song that would strike an emotional chord with us. He grabbed my hand gingerly and squeezed it and shot me a lopsided smile. He wanted to forgive me and I knew it, but I couldn&rs...

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