The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I let him be. Sometimes you have to let people have their own space—​even when you are in the same room with them. He taught me that, my dad. He taught me almost everything I know.

When is the right time for anything? Who knows? Living is an art, not a science.

I knew what he was saying. They had things they wanted to talk about, and they didn’t want to have me hanging around. I really, really hated to be left out. “That works,” I said. I knew my dad heard the disappointment in my voice. He put his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t have a road map for this trip, Salvie. But I won’t be leaving you behind, I promise.” My father, he knew how to keep a promise.