“I don’t want to see Bev get hurt. Not after all those years of shoveling Roger’s shit, and um…this is awkward. I’m just wondering—”

“I’m keeping her,” Tom finally said with exasperation.

John choked on his beer. “You’re keeping her?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Does she know you’re keeping her?”

“Nope. Not yet. Keep it under your hat.”

“No problem. Good luck.”

“I don’t need any goddamned luck. I got daisies.”