His gaze crept to mine. “I-I suppose I could blame it on her and make her a scapegoat, but no. Much of it was on me, too. I didn’t know…” Peeking at Eli, he said, “I was not well for a long time and I drank a lot. I was…depressed. I figured it was best if I backed off and let your mother raise you.”
“But you’re healthier now.” Eli’s attention homed in on Dad. “What if you had a second chance? What if you could rectify your past mistakes and have a proper relationship with your son, who’s sitting right next to you?”
My eyes pricked, and I swallowed a lump forming in my throat. Eli was spot on, as usual, getting right to the point.
Dad twisted toward me, his brows wrinkling and tears brimming in his eyes. “Wren, how can I repair our relationship?” He shook his head. “I’ve been a terrible father for so long. I don’t expect you to suddenly let me back into your life.”
“Wren has a therapist. Are you open to joining their therapy sessions to work through it?” Eli worried his lower lip. “Darren, if you want, we can support you. It sounds like you don’t have anyone to turn to, and this is a heartbreaking situation.”
He wiped his eyes again. “You’re right. I have no one. Karen alienated me from my friends and family, one by one.” Histhroat bobbed with a hard swallow. “She kept pestering me to drink, knowing full well I was in recovery. I finally gave in. I’m not as bad, but still.”
“It seems there’s a lot to unpack. If you want, I’m confident I can locate a good therapist for you as well, through the student center I volunteer with.” Eli rose and sat on the armrest of the couch next to Dad, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We can help you, Darren. You don’t have to be alone.”
Placing his face in his hands, a sob ripped from his throat. With a croak, he said, “Thank you, Eli. I don’t deserve kindness from either of you.”
My heart split in two. No matter what had happened, he was still my father, and it pained me to see him hurt. Sliding an arm around his shoulders, I rested my cheek against him. When was the last time I’d touched him? I didn’t remember. “Dad, I’m willing to try. Let’s handle this together and get you the support you need.” I had to forgive. Carrying around all the mistrust and walls I’d built had been exhausting and unhealthy.I see that now.
“Thank you, son.” Turning toward me, Dad wrapped me up in a warm hug. “I’ll give you whatever you need from me. I promise.” As he freed me, he said, “I’m thinking of moving back to the Bay Area when this is over. The house lease expires in May.”
I blinked. “I-I’m moving with Eli when he gets his NFL contract, so I don’t know where I’ll be.” My chest pinched. Would our reconnecting continue after we moved away from each other again?
With a nod, he said, “I’m thinking of leaving the house here to Karen. I don’t want it, and I think it’ll placate her.”
“Where is she now?” Eli hooked a brow.
“She’s staying with her parents and took Stuart with her.” Dad’s lower lip trembled. “It almost feels like I lost a child.”
“You did.” Patting Dad’s back, Eli said, “For nine months, you thought of Stuart as your son and even for a few months after he was born. You watched him come into this world andtreated him as if he were yours. So of course, it’s devastating to find out he’s not.”
Dad sucked in a breath.
“What will you do about that situation?” I studied him. Would he still want to be involved in Stuart’s life? Could I blame him after Eli’s statement? It was complicated.
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll figure it out in therapy.” He freed a soft chuckle and patted Eli’s knee. “I’d like to quit drinking once and for all too, but that’s a different issue.”
My heart soared. I couldn’t believe the words I was hearing from Dad’s mouth. But he’d gone through a life-changing event. I hoped it was enough for him to keep his word. Only time would tell. “Dad, I’m sorry you’re going through this, but I think in the end, if we do the work, it’ll be good for us.”
“Yes, I think so too, son. I love you, you know that, right?” A grin ghosted across his lips.
“I-I do.”I did now.He came to me when his life imploded. “Love you, too.” I gave him a side-hug.
Whispering in my ear, Dad said, “Maybe I’ve lost a son, but I’m hoping I’ve gained one too.”
After speakingabout logistics with Dad regarding therapy, we saw him off, and I dropped onto the couch again. “I have to call my mom.” It was late, but this was too important.
“Yes, I think that’s a good idea.” Eli rummaged in my kitchen. “Can we drink some of this wine, or will Grace be upset?” He held a bottle of her chardonnay up.
“Drink it. I’ll buy her a fresh bottle tomorrow.” I plucked my phone from the coffee table and called Mom.
In a groggy voice, Mom said, “Hello?”
“Mom, were you sleeping?” How late was it? I checked the time in the corner of my phone. It was only ten.
“I just got into bed. I have to be up early to show a house,” she said. “What’s up? Are you okay?”
“Yes, more than okay. You’ll never guess what happened.” I took the wine glass Eli held out to me.
Eli fell in beside me, loosely crossing his legs and sipping his wine.
