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“It would have broken my heart.”
“I’m sorry, Dad! I’ve caused so much trouble for you and for Sidney. I feel responsible for your break up, and she’s pregnant! She needs you now more than ever, and I’m standing in the way. All these years, I’ve allowed my hatred and resentment of you to be an excuse for everything I did. Yet, no matter how I pushed you away, you still tried to help me. And now I’m going to help you.”
I look at him strangely. “Help me?”
“Yes. Dad, I know that being apart from Sidney is hurting you.”
“Grant—”
“I know you’re sad, Dad. And I know you need Sidney. I was wrong for making a big deal out of her being your girlfriend. She’s a great woman and if I hadn’t fucked up so badly, I’d be begging her to take me back.”
I look at him. “If it hadn’t been for her, we wouldn’t have found you that night, you know? She was worried about you and how you sounded.”
“See what I mean? She went from cursing me out to worrying that I was at death’s door. And put aside her own feelings and called you to help me. She’s a very forgiving person. And I think you should reach out to her. She’ll give you another chance.”
“I like your confidence.”
“I know her, Dad. It was sheer frustration that caused her to kick me out. But outside of that, she tried her best to put up with me. You’re nowhere near as difficult as I was. If you reach out to her, you’ll get a second chance. You don’t take no for an answer. Look at how many times I told you to leave me alone and you still came badgering for me to go to rehab. And where am I now.”
I cannot answer and he smiles.
“Go after her, Dad. And don’t take no for an answer. And I’m going to make it easy for you. I know that I’m well enough to be discharged soon. And when I am, I’m going back to Ireland. I’ve already spoken with mom and told her of my progress and how I’ve changed. She’s agreed to let me move back in with her and that she’ll pick up where you left off here with my treatment. But I think if I’m out of the way, things will be okay with you and Sidney.”
“Grant, you don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. Maybe in time, when you guys are settled in with the baby and everything, she’ll come around to tolerating me again. I’ve done some things to her that I’m not proud of as a man. She deserves someone like you who wants to protect her. I sure didn’t.”
“If she’s as forgiving as you say she is, I’m sure she’ll forgive you as well.”
“I’m sure she will. By the way, I’m going to pay you back every penny you’ve spent.”
“You don’t have to do that, Grant. You’re my son. I’d spend my last dollar if that’s what it would take.”
“I know. Well, if you won’t take the money back for your sake, how about for my little brother or sister?”
That shakes me to my core. I look him squarely in the eyes. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“As a heart attack.” He gets up and goes to the small table beside his bed. He comes back with an envelope and hands it to me.
“What’s this?”
“Your icebreaker. I’d appreciate it if you delivered it personally.”
I look down at the envelope and see Sidney’s name scrawled on the front. I look at him and see a cheeky grin that reminds me of when he is up to mischief. I take a deep breath and smile.
“Okay, Mr. Matchmaker. I’ll deliver it personally. And we’ll see where it goes from there.”
“That’s all I ask.”
We stand and hug. He walks me to the main door and we hug again.
As I drive home, I replay the conversation with Grant. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I haven’t wanted to admit it, but a part of my hesitation in approaching Sidney has been Grant. But now that I know I have his blessing – game on!
When I get home, I make a phone call. The discussion is an intense one but at the end of it, there is a plan.
Chapter twenty-five
Sidney
