"I told you not to come," I said.
"I couldn't stay home."
His eyes moved from me to Stephen.
Then to Barbra.
Finally back to his father.
"Dad."
Stephen's face softened.
"Buddy."
"Did you mean it?"
The room became impossibly quiet.
Dustin swallowed.
"Were you really going to pay for college?"
Stephen took a breath.
"I was going to help."
Dustin didn't move.
"That's not what I asked."
"I would've done what I could."
"You told me I wouldn't have to worry anymore."
Stephen shifted his weight.
"I said we'd figure it out."
"No."
Dustin's voice shook.
"You said if I helped you save your marriage, you'd take care of school."
Stephen looked genuinely uncomfortable.
"I may have said something like that."
I watched the hope drain from my son's face, like someone turning off a light.
"So you never meant it."
"I meant I'd help."
"You let me think you meant all of it."
Stephen reached toward him.
"Dustin."
My son stepped back.
"I would've figured something else out."
Those words hurt more than anything else he'd said.
"You didn't have to do this."
"I thought this was figuring it out."
Barbra covered her mouth with both hands.
Stephen looked frustrated instead of remorseful.
"I don't understand why everyone's acting like I committed a crime."
"No," I said quietly.
"You committed something worse."
He frowned.
"You taught your son that his body was something he could trade for your approval."
Nobody spoke.
After several long seconds, Barbra stood.
She walked over to Dustin and looked at the portrait on his arm.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I'm so sorry."
He looked embarrassed.
"It wasn't your fault."
She shook her head.
"No, but every time you look at this tattoo, you're going to remember today."
She turned to Stephen.
"I can't believe you did this."
Stephen threw up his hands again.
"You're both overreacting."
She stared at him.
"I said I wanted to feel loved."
"You are."
"I never asked you to buy it."
For the first time, Stephen had no answer.
The silence stretched until Dustin finally spoke.
"I'm getting it covered."
Stephen looked startled.
"You just got it."
"I don't care."
"Dustin."
"I don't want to look at it anymore."
He looked at Barbra.
