“You’re right. You’re absolutely right,” he finally says, releasing a heavy sigh. “I haven’t been very present lately, and for that, I’m sorry. I promise to do better, you have my word. I’ll spend more time with him. Everything else can wait. I’m sorry, Hope.”
“It’s not me you should be apologising to, or trying to convince.”
“Still, I owe you an apology too. I’ve been stuck in my own self-pity since you left, and I admit I haven’t been the best father to Zac. But I swear to you, Hope—I’lldo better from here on out. Just give me another chance. Please let me spend today with him. I want to make things right.”
Just then, the door opens behind me. Adrian and I both freeze, our conversation halting immediately.
“Mum, who are you talking to?”
He peers around me, his eyes meeting his father’s in an instant. Instead of the excitement that usually lights his face whenever his dad visits, his expression remains neutral, and maybe, a little angry too.
“Hey, son.”
Zac continues to stare at his dad, offering him only a small, forced smile. When he doesn’t say anything, Adrian continues to try his luck.
“I thought we could spend the day together.”
“Why?” Zac asks, his tone empty and detached.
“Because I’ve missed you, and wanted to see you.”
“You could’ve seen me last weekend.”
“I know, buddy, but I was in Brisbane for an important event. I told you that. Anyway, I’m here now, and guess what?” He reaches into his back pockets and pulls out two small pieces of paper. “I got us tickets to the circus that’s in town. I know how much you’ve always wanted to see it. Will you go with me?”
The silence that follows is almost unbearable, and just for a slither of a second, I’m afraid to hear Zac’s response.
“I have a lot of homework to do, maybe next time,” he says, and without saying goodbye, he turns and walks away.
Adrian’s expression crumbles in an instant, and I see it all there on his face: sadness, disappointment, guilt—hurt.
“I deserved that,” he says quietly.
“Yes, you did. He’s upset right now, but he’ll be okay. You can try again next weekend.”
He nods, his eyes downcast once more as his shoulders slump. “I should go then. Thank you for seeing me even if it was unannounced. I’ll call him throughout the week. I promise. Please hug him for me.”
I nod, and without another word, he turns and walks slowly back to his car.
I don’t wait for him to leave; I just head back inside, and the moment I do, I almost collide with Zac, who I hadn’t realised was still there.
“Are you okay, honey?”
“Is he coming back?”
“No. He’s going home back to Sandy Vale,” I reassure him.
“Good.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
He shakes his head, slowly. “No. I just wanted to make sure he was gone.”
“He is. And he won’t be back until next weekend.”
His nod is slow, heavy with sadness. It’s hard to see him like this. He’s always been such a happy, playful little boy, and now it feels like he’s a different child, and it breaks my heart. I think I’ll have to schedule another session with Dr. Peters for him, just in case.
“Can we order pizza tonight?” Zac asks.
