“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, Dad. I do.” It seemed that whatever peace he’d come to with his father wasn’t going to last.
“I’m just saying that you’re not the same person you were a few months ago.”
“It doesn’t matter, Dad. I left her while her brother was in surgery. While her parents were terrified. When she needed me, I wasn’t there. She deserves better.”
“Why did you leave her?”
Daniel waved his father off. “Never mind.”
“Look at me, son, when I’m talking to you.”
You’re never too old to have to listen to your parents. Daniel turned and faced his father.
“Danny, you’re going to have to face it sooner or later. Why did you leave her?”
“Because... I was terrified, okay?” Daniel’s heart sank as the truth hit him. “Terrified that I’d have to be a father again—that I’d have to give my whole heart to someone—that as much as I wanted to, I hadn’t given my whole heart to her. And she deserves better than that.” An admission to the man who wasn’t afraid of anything.
His father remained silent for so long that Daniel was convinced he hadn’t even heard. Just when Daniel was disgusted enough to walk away, his father spoke.
“I almost left your mother once.”
Daniel must have heard wrong. His parents were deeply in love. “What did you say?”
“It was ages ago. While we were still dating. I was crazy in love with her, and I knew I wanted to marry her. So, I asked your grandfather’s permission.” Daniel’s father raised an eyebrow and looked his son in the eye. “And he said no.”
Daniel was speechless. No one said no to his father. Except, apparently, his grandfather. “Why?”
“He thought I was too immature and wouldn’t amount to anything. We were still in college, and I was pretty aimless.” He let out a small chuckle. “Looking back, I probably would have said no to me, too. Anyway, I became convinced for a time that there was no way I was good enough for your mother, that her father was right. She was better off without me. I was getting ready to break up with her when Ba contacted me. She said that if I loved her daughter, I should prove her husband wrong. I should fight for what I wanted. So, I did. Got my act together, focused on school and on how much I loved your mother. A year later, when I asked your grandfather again, he shook my hand and gave me his blessing.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because, son. We’re all terrified of something at some point. It’s what you do about it that makes all the difference.”
Daniel was still unable to speak. But his normally silent father seemed to have plenty to say today. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Daniel managed to refocus.
“I’m sorry I said those things to you when you lost Sara. I thought—well, I thought if you just went through the paces, you could get your life back. But hell, I miss my granddaughter every day—I can’t even imagine what you go through. Because I know that, even now, if something were to happen to you or your sister, I’d never be the same.” He hung his head, suddenly interested in the ground. He snapped his head up to look at Daniel. “I am damn proud to see you getting control of your life right now.”
Daniel just stared at his father. Who was this man and where was his real father?
“Don’t look at me like that. Never too old to admit you’re wrong. You remember that.” His eyes softened. “That girl is amazing. Lean on her. Let her lean on you. That’s how that works.”
“What are you saying? I should just call her up and tell her I made a mistake?”
“Why not? People who love each other make mistakes all the time. I certainly did. Your mother always forgave me.”
Daniel pressed his lips together.
“You’re afraid she won’t take you back.”
Daniel nodded, not wanting to even acknowledge that fear.
His father shrugged. “Yeah, so maybe she won’t take you back. But maybe she will. How will you know if you don’t try? I mean, if you don’t act, I’m sure some other young man will.”
Acid filled Daniel’s stomach.
