"With a car?"
"It's a pretty good start."
He glanced at Ray.
"Better than anything he got you, I'd bet."
I looked toward the house.
"Wait here."
I went inside.
The wooden box was still on the kitchen table.
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When I carried it outside, Ray's face changed.
"Jake."
I ignored him.
My father looked at the box.
"What's that?"
"My birthday present."
He actually laughed.
"That's what he gave you?"
Ray's face went red.
I opened the lid.
"No."
I lifted out the statements.
"This is."
My father frowned.
I handed him the first one.
He read the deposit.
"Forty dollars?"
"Turn it over."
He did.
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"Boots can wait."
I handed him another.
"Truck service next month."
Then another.
"Brought lunch all week."
My father's smile disappeared.
"What is this?"
"My college account."
"Okay."
"Ray and Mom opened it."
I found the statement I wanted.
"Danny needed new glasses. I'll make it up next month."
