"Your face.You look terrible."
He let out a short laugh."Thanks."
She gave him a gentle slap."I don't mean it like that, and you know it.What's going on, Ollie?What was your phone call?"
He ran his hand over his face."It was my dad."
"Oh no — is he okay?"
"He's fine.He's coming."
"Coming here?"
"Yeah.This afternoon.Four o'clock."
"Oh.Well, that's nice."
He made a face."No, it's not."
"Maybe it could be — if you let it."
He blew out a sigh."He's going to ruin our day."
"Only if you look at it that way."
He looked down when Peanut rested her chin on his thigh and Butter came to sit on his other side.
"Oh, look at them," said Callie."They're trying to help you through, aren't they?"
He nodded.
"And that means they know it's tough for you."
He shook his head."It shouldn't be tough, though.What does it matter?Some man who doesn't care about me wants to stop by and see me.Shouldn't be a big deal, right?"
"Oh, Ollie.Don't.Itisa big deal.He's not just some guy who doesn't care about you.He's your dad."
Ollie closed his eyes and nodded slowly.She was right.Miles Stratton was his dad.It was just that he'd never behaved like one.And if he wanted to start being buddies now—
He looked up at Callie."No secrets, right?"
She nodded.
"Want to know what my ugliest one is?"
She nodded again and, to his surprise, plopped herself down on his lap, curling an arm around his shoulders."I do.They're the most important ones to share."
He shrugged."I still feel like the little kid who's angry and hurt.I even think he might want to make it up to me.But it's that little boy inside who's saying, 'What's the point now?'He didn’t want to be in my life when I needed him; he doesn’t get to be now that I don’t."
She tightened her arm around him."I can understand that.It must be so hard.And it's totally up to you what you decide.But he can't make it up to you if you won't let him.That little boy has every reason to feel hurt.But the man you are now has a chance to build a relationship with his dad — if he wants one."
She rested her forehead against his and looked into his eyes."It's up to you.I'll support you no matter what you decide.But why not hear what he has to say today?"
He nodded slowly, then said, "Because it'll ruin our day."
"It won't.We won't let it.I can go to Becca's.Give you two some space."
"No."He paused."I mean, yeah, of course, if that's what you want to do.But if you're just going for my sake, then please don't."
