Within the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

dad’s here. He wants to see you.”
    Andrew’s smile turned into a frown.
     
     
    Alone at the bar with his father, Andrew lifted the caps off two Heinekens. He slid one bottle across the counter, to his dad.
    “Thanks,” Dad said. “I can always rely on you to have the good stuff.”
    His father took a long swallow of beer. Andrew studied him. He hadn’t seen his father since the night of the accident, over two weeks ago.
    He hadn’t talked to him, either, in spite of having left him at least three messages.
    He wondered what was going on. He wanted to talk to his father about why he seemed to be avoiding him—without sounding as cynical as he was beginning to feel about their faltering relationship.
    But his dad didn’t look good. Although he was dressed as debonair as ever in a button-down shirt and slacks, dark rings circled his eyes. Insomnia?
    The bandage had been removed from his father’s head, but a bruise and the traces of the stitches were faintly visible.
    Dad set down the Heineken and burped. “Ahh, that was good.” “So, how’ve you been doing?” Andrew asked.
    “Been busy. When summer hits, everyone wants to buy a new house.”
    “That’s good news.” Andrew idly curled his fingers around his beer.
    Dad yawned. “How’ve you been?”
    “All right. Working on a book, waiting on an offer from my publisher on the one I just finished.”
    “Getting the big money for this one?”
    “I hope so.” Elbow propped against the counter, Andrew sipped his beer. It tasted more bitter than usual.
    “I’m proud of you. It’s great to see you living your dream, prospering.”
    “Thanks.” Andrew placed the Heineken on a coaster that had the words, “Drew’s Bar” written in cursive. The customized coasters had been a birthday gift from Carmen.
    “Your mother looks good,” Dad said. “I haven’t seen her in, what, eleven years?”
    “Something like that. She stays active. Teaching and gardening and whatnot.”
    Nodding, Dad raised the beer to his lips.
    How long were they going to lob these lazy conversational balls back and forth? Andrew had hoped that his father would take the initiative to explain why he’d been avoiding him lately, but he seemed content to chat about superficial matters.
    It was time to get to the point. Andrew disliked confrontations, especially with his father, but he couldn’t shy away from this one.
    Andrew pushed away from the bar. “I’ve called you three times in the past two weeks, Dad. You haven’t called me back once. What’s been going on?”
    Dad almost slammed the bottle on the counter. Andrew flinched. His father’s jawline was rigid. “I’ve been busy, Andrew. I told you that business has been jumping. Hell, I came here, didn’t I?”
    “Okay.” Andrew dragged his hand down his face. “Sorr y, I just . . .”
    “You just what?”
    I just thought you were serious about building a relationship with me, Andrew wanted to say. You call me out of the blue and ask me to play golf, and we start playing once or twice a week, spending quality time together, something we’ve never done in my entire life with any consistency—and then, for no apparent reason, you cut me off and act like you’re too damn busy to be bothered. That’s what, Dad.
    But Andrew didn’t share his feelings. Because deep down, he had expected that this would happen, sooner or later. His father’s fickleness was the dominant theme of their relationship. He was a fool for hoping that his dad had changed. There was no point in discussing something that he already understood so well.
    “Never mind,” Andrew said. “Anyway, I’m glad you came.”
    “Been having headaches,” Dad said in a softer voice. He touched the bruise on his head. “Haven’t been sleeping well.”
    “You look tired. Maybe you should see a doctor.”
    Scowling at the suggestion, Dad picked up the remote control on the bar. He turned on the small television mounted on the opposite wall and flipped