Forty-five minutes later, the conversation was flowing much more naturally.
But when Lucas glanced at his watch, Martin took the cue. “I’m sure you have other plans for the day. I don’t want to hold you up.”
“I do have a commitment in an hour. I’m coaching a boy’s baseball team this summer at my church. We practice on Saturdays.”
One more quality to admire in the man his son had become.
“You can’t disappoint the team.” He wadded up his napkin. Squeezed it in his fist. “I know this is a long shot on a Saturday night, but if you’re available, we could continue our conversation over dinner.”
“I don’t have a date, so yeah. I could do dinner. There’s a great barbecue place not far from here.” He named the restaurant.
“Sounds good. You want me to pick you up, or should we meet there?”
“Where are you staying?”
He gave him the name of the chain hotel he’d chosen close to the airport—a convenient location if Lucas had blown him off and he’d decided to catch an earlier flight out.
“Let’s meet at the restaurant about six.” Lucas picked up his cup, slid to the end of the bench, and stood. “I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll be there.” He stood too. Held out his hand. “Thank you for your willingness to let me have another shot at being a father.”
Lucas took it. Gave his fingers a quick squeeze. “You should thank Adam instead.”
That was unexpected.
“How so?”
“When I wrote to apologize for all the grief I caused him, he sent me a letter I still have. He said forgiveness is easier than humility, so if someone has the courage to put their pride aside, admit their mistakes, and promise to do better, it’s wrong not to accept their apology and give them the benefit of the doubt. He also said it’s important to pay that kind of grace forward. Like I’m doing with you.”
Martin sucked in a breath.
This from a young man less than half his age but with twice his wisdom.
It was humbling.
“Thank you.” His voice scratched.
Lucas nodded. “I’ll see you for dinner.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Martin remained by the table, watching until Lucas pushed through the door and disappeared into the oppressive heat. Then he picked up his empty cup.
Should he get a refill?
No.
He didn’t need another caffeine infusion to energize him. His meeting with his son had already done that.
And perhaps, if all went well during the remainder of his visit, the groundwork for a new and improved relationship would be firmly laid by the time he flew home to tackle the next item on his make-a-new-start list.
23
The evening was not going as planned.
As the dance rehearsal forOklahomawound down on Sunday, Aaron dropped to the balls of his feet in front of Isabel and reached for her hand. “When did you start to feel bad, honey?”
“Right at the beginning, but I didn’t want to leave. Now my stomach hurts worse.”
