Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore

Author:Janice Cantore [Cantore, Janice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian, Romance, FICTION / Christian / Romance
ISBN: 9781414375533
Google: 8StrAAAAQBAJ
Amazon: 1414375530
Barnesnoble: 1414375530
Goodreads: 18639479
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

33

“HE’S LIVED in a bottle for twenty years; what did he expect?” Brinna turned away from her mother and shoved a glass under the tap for water, all the while stalling, wondering what it was she was supposed to feel.

“A little more compassion, Brin. He is your father.” Rose sat on the couch, head in her hands.

Brinna carried two glasses of water to the living room and gave one to her mother before sitting down in the chair across from the couch. “But are you surprised?” she asked.

Rose looked up, pain etched in her eyes. “Of course it’s a shock. I’ve been praying he’d change before it got too late.”

Brinna bit her lip. “Let’s face it. The bottle has always been more important to him than us.”

Rose shook her head. “I’ve seen you show so much care and tenderness for children, strangers. Don’t you have any to spare for your father?”

“What do you want me to say?” Brinna bristled, thinking, All I’ve ever really known is an angry, drunk father. “For a short time he was a father to Brian, but he’s never been a father to me. Once he climbed into the bottle, he wasn’t much of anything.”

“That day destroyed him.” Rose choked back a sob. “He never forgave himself. Can’t you forgive him?”

She wiped her eyes with one hand and Brinna saw the struggle for composure. That day hung between them, and Brinna had no words.

“Unforgiveness will destroy you,” Rose said after a minute. She stood and hugged her arms to her chest. “The two of you are peas in a pod. He hides in a bottle and you hide in your job. Will you consider this from outside the safety of your uniform?”

Brinna blew out a breath and shook her head, choosing to ignore the peas-in-a-pod remark. I’m nothing like my father.

“I don’t blame Dad for my kidnapping. I never did. The only person to blame is the kidnapper. The only thing I blame Dad for is not being a dad.” She chugged her water and willed herself to stay seated. “What about Brian? Is he coming home?”

Regaining her composure, Rose crossed her arms. “He’s flying in this weekend. Will you at least come with him and visit your father?”

Brinna closed her eyes and sighed. “There’s so much going on in my life right now.” She opened her eyes to find Rose staring at her and felt slapped by the grief and pain reflected in the gaze. Guilt at the attempt to avoid her dad swelled, and she gave up. “When Brian gets here, I’ll go with him, okay?”

Rose nodded, then smoothed her blouse. “Thank you. It will mean a lot.”

* * *

Brinna sat on the porch for a long time after her mother left. Hero dozed at her feet. After trying to call Milo and getting his voice mail, she brought a tall glass of iced tea outside and relaxed in her rocker. Sleep was impossible now. Her mother could make her feel guilty and sappy all at the same time.

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