Chapter 5 - The Fake Tears
The upbeat music blaring from the gym speakers was abruptly cut off. The entire high school crowd stared in absolute shock at the woman in the mustard blouse making a scene on the court.
Jodi sprinted over to where Travis, Kaylee, and Duane were standing. She forced heavy, dramatic tears to stream down her face, playing the role of a terrified, desperate daughter.
"Dad!" Jodi sobbed loudly, reaching out to aggressively grab Duane’s arm. "Oh my god, you wandered off! The facility called me in a panic! You don't know where you are, Dad! Your dementia is getting worse!"
The crowd gasped sympathetically, believing her twisted performance.
Jodi tried to yank Duane away from Kaylee, intending to drag him out the side doors and shove him into her car.
But before Jodi’s fingers could even touch the old man’s grey jacket, Travis moved with explosive speed.
Travis stepped forcefully between his wife and the grandfather. He swatted Jodi’s hand away with a rigid, protective arm, completely shielding Duane and Kaylee.
Jodi stumbled backward, her fake tears dropping for a fraction of a second as pure shock registered on her face. "Travis! What are you doing?! Grab him! He's a danger to himself!"
"He doesn't have dementia, Jodi," Travis stated, his voice booming across the silent gymnasium. "And he didn't wander off."
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"You are embarrassing us!" Jodi hissed under her breath, stepping closer with a venomous glare. "Shut your mouth and put him in the car before I divorce you and leave you with nothing!"
👉 What secret weapon is the stoic grandfather hiding inside his grey jacket?
