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Dad’s face goes from white to red. “Oh, Wade. I trusted that bastard! Damn. I’ll be dealing with him personally. He’ll live to regret this.”
I almost roll my eyes. “Honestly, that’s your problem. Garfield has dropped all charges and as we speak, he’s confessing live on TV, admitting to lying and defaming the company over an old beef. A lot will happen in the coming weeks and months, but Building Bridges is in the clear.”
Finally, I didn’t realize it would take narrating the entire story to Dad for that nagging weight to leave my shoulders.
Dad is nodding with a glow in his eyes. “Great job, Harrison. I’m extremely proud of you.” His voice is at the warmest I’ve ever heard.
Suddenly, I’m pissed all over again. “You know that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that in my entire life. It took me going through hell, caused by you, directly and indirectly, to have my own father proud of me. Wow.”
Dad’s eyebrows shoot up like arrows in surprise, and then he relaxes, his face shrouded in that same expression of instant regret.
“Harrison, I’ve always been proud of you. I know I haven’t been the most expressive father and I’ve made some really heavy mistakes with your upbringing. Everything I did, I thought I was doing for the good of my children. I wanted to protect all of you the best way I knew how. I guess I didn’t realize how harsh I must have been with you until now.”
I don’t like the feeling bubbling up in my chest. I don’t like it at all.
“You knew I had a problem as a child. Dad, I’ve battled ADHD since I was five years old. Five! All you’ve ever done is compare me to Roscoe and Mitchell, acting like I was some sort of mistake you regret. I’ve suffered mentally and emotionally, all because you couldn’t just be a decent parent.”
My heart is heavy, but it becomes heavier when tears start welling up in Dad’s eyes. Of all the sights I thought I’d see today, him crying is the last.
“I always thought your ADHD was a strength and not a weakness. It made you different and capable in a way that took me some time to understand. I didn’t know how to get through to you because of it, and I settled for tough love. I’ve failed you badly, Harrison, but with my life, I’m proud of you…”
He pauses, and then he looks up at me again. “I may take some time to understand it all, but I kind of see why that Charlee girl is good for you. This new confidence and power you exude, I know they are because of her. I want to see you happy, son, and if she makes you happy, I’ll never stand in your way. I’m sorry for all the things I said. I’m sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused. I’m so sorry…” His voice blanks out as he cups his head in deep regret.
Seeing my dad this broken is actually breaking my heart. He’s been the worst, but he’s still my father.
Today is a day of first-times.
Dad and I eventually head over to the bar and over some scotch on the rocks, I tell him about my plans for the company. He asks about Charlee and the baby and I’m actually comfortable talking about our story with him.
It’ll take some time, definitely, but my father is finally willing to be a real dad.
It’s taken thirty years, but it’s never too late, I guess.
28
HARRISON
So, this is what release from trauma feels like.
I’m on my way to Charlee’s apartment from Dad’s office, bubbling with the excitement of seeing her again, but there’s another feeling in there that’s particularly thrilling. After so many years of feeling unseen, unheard, and misunderstood, I’ve finally gotten a chance to prove myself.
I’m tapping lightly to the soft jazz tunes wafting from the speaker as I breeze through traffic, thinking about what I’ll say to Charlee. I’m prepared to do anything. Anything at all to win my girl and my baby back. I’ll give her anything. I’ll give her the whole damn world if she wants. She’s the only woman in the world for me and it’s her or no one else.
Pulling up to her apartment building, I step out of the car and make a beeline for the elevator. I sent her a text before I got there, and of course, she didn’t respond. I wonder if she’ll let me into her home again. I’m trying to imagine how pissed she’ll be at the sight of me, but I’ll take all the heat if I just get a chance to tell her how I feel. I’ll make the world a bed of roses for her. Heck, I’ll love her till my very last breath. I’ll protect our kid with my life. I’ll be a present and involved dad, a loving parent.
Damn, Charlee Fox. I love you. I love you more than life itself.
Ringing her doorbell, I realize I should have brought flowers. Charlee loves white roses. I should have brought a fresh bouquet of white roses, but I was too excited on the way over to stop at the florist.
No answer.
I ring the doorbell again.
One minute and no answer.
Is the bell broken? I can hear it ringing but can she hear it as well?
Knocking loudly on the door, I start pleading. “Charlee, baby, please, if you can hear me, I just need you to give me one more chance. Please open the door. Let’s talk.”
