The conversation consisted of the different things we might find and what we would do with them. It’s adorable, but something that takes time to get used to.
I don’t mind one bit, though.
As I scan through the flavors and finally find the barbecue, which is my favorite, I nearly drop the bag as I hear Damian yell out.
“Grandpa!”
I freeze in place, but my head shoots over to see Damian in Russell’s arms, hugging him tightly. Standing to my full height,Russell steps further into the aisle, and I step back, not wanting to fight again, especially in front of Damian.
It’s not that I couldn’t handle my own; it’s that I have my son with me, and that would shine a bad light on both of us in his eyes. That, and Russell is still my best friend, even after all that’s happened.
Russell nods before setting Damian back down on the ground. “I love you, buddy,” he says before turning around to walk out of the aisle.
“Wait,” I call after him, causing him to stop walking. As he turns to face me again, it’s evident that he wants to be anywhere but in front of me. I step closer to him so I don’t have to yell through the store. “I…I just wanted to apologize. It wasn’t my intention, but I fell in love with her.”
Russ’s face reddens as I continue. “Why is it so wrong? I will take care of her and our son. I can provide for them and give them both unconditional love. I want nothing more than their happiness.”
I turn my head to keep an eye on Damian, who is still trying to find the perfect candy to buy, so I keep talking. “It’s not my place, but Becca is devastated and only wants to explain herself. As her father, you should at least give her that chance, whether or not you’re mad at me. Christmas is in less than a week, for God’s sake.”
After my spiel, I feel out of breath as I tried to get it all out before he decided to storm away. To my surprise, he remains long enough to hear me out and nod before he walks off and exits the store.
I have no idea whether he is going to come around to the idea of seeing Becca or not, but at least I can say I tried to get through to him. It just kills me to see the woman I want to spend my life with so heartbroken.
“Alright, you ready?” I ask as Damian runs over to me, holding a snack and a drink. He nods, and once we pay, we are on the road again toward our outing.
“Whoa!” he exclaims, pulling up the magnifying glass to his eye as he inspects a medium-sized rock he found hidden under a pile of old snow. “Look at this one.”
He immediately puts it in his bag, saying that his mom will love it, and he continues walking, not at all trying to take his time. It’s comical to see his excitement and interest in the outdoors. It’s almost identical to my own.
After another hour, we loop back to where I’d parked the car, and judging by his red skin and shivering body, I tell him it’s time to get back home so we can thaw out. As we walk to the car, he rambles on about how much fun he had and how he can’t wait to show his mom the cool rocks.
On the outside, I smile as I listen to him, but on the inside, I still can’t get the confrontation back at the store out of my mind. It wasn’t physical, but I could tell that he didn’t want to hear anything I had to say.
I just hope that eventually, he will forgive me for what happened. But I was honest with him. I plan on taking care of my family for the rest of my life, making sure they are loved and happy.
That should count for something, right?
Before I can open the car door for Damian, he runs to me and wraps his little arms around my leg. “Thank you, Dad. I love you.”
My heart nearly explodes in my chest, and the chill that had sunk into my bones is long gone from the warmth that’s now replacing it.
This is the first time he’s called me Dad and said that he loves me. I didn’t prepare myself for this, and I am stunned as I look down at him. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to hearing that from him…
“I love you too.”
