AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Couldn’t leave you around here alone all the time, old man.”
He chuckles heartily.
“I’m glad you stopped by. I couldn’t believe my ears when you said you were coming back and visiting your ma. She’s going to love seeing you, son.”
I take a seat in one of his big leather chairs. He sits across from me in the matching one. Patrick does have a desk for meetings, but he always prefers the warmer nature of being in this less formal sitting area.
“I hope so…”
I clear my throat.
“It’s been a while,” I continue.
“Nonsense, Janet is going to be thrilled.”
I nod in reply. Fuck, I’m nervous to be here.
“Tell me now, what troubles you? I know this isn’t just a pleasant visit,” he replies after a few moments of silence.
Patrick was always good at knowing when a silent pause was needed for me to collect my thoughts.
I laugh at that as I lean back further into the chair.
“No, I’m sorry about that. Really, I am.”
“Oh, hush now, I know you, Lachlan. I can see something is really bothering you now. Share it with me.”
He gets up as I ponder how to start. Even with an entire plane ride to think this through, it’s still harder sitting here face to face with the man who saved me. He pours us two scotches and places mine on the coffee table in between us before taking his seat again.
“There is no way to say this other than to just say it. But I do want you to know that this isn’t easy. Not still. It won’t be for a while.”
“Go on.”
He sips his drink, eyeing me carefully.
“That day you found me on those steps, you saved me. You showed me a life full of goodness and hope. Hope is the most dangerous word I can think of still—yet that is what you provided me.”
I have to keep my confession going.
“You took the time to work with me and allow me to serve the Lord here while I was attending seminary school. You were patient with my schedule and still gave me a place of refuge. I will never forget that.”
His eyes still as he hears the undertones of my words; growing even more serious now as he takes them in. Sipping his drink once more, I still haven’t touched mine yet.
“Lachlan, my boy, I did that because everyone is worth saving. Even someone who doesn’t see it. Only God should cast judgment. That day was one of the best days in my life because it brought me the son I never had. Don’t forget that love knows no bounds.”
His words are what I need to hear but make me feel worse all the same.
“Patrick, you know I see you as a father figure, which makes what I have to tell you that much harder.”
I clear my throat again before continuing.
“I met someone.”
He doesn’t look surprised as he slowly nods in understanding. He takes another meaningful sip of his scotch before placing it on a coaster.
“I know.”
“What do you mean you know?”
