Page 73 of Then and Now
“Why didn’t you find me sooner? Why now? Why did you wait so long?”
“Oh, honey.” He folds me in for a hug and I go, sagging against his frail, weak body.
“It’s not enough time, Daddy,” I sob.
“It would never have been enough. And that’s my fault, sweetheart. I’ll never forgive myself for staying away so long, but I hope you can forgive me someday. And just believe that I did what I thought was best for you at the time. Any decisions I’ve made, I’ve always made based on my love for you.”
And there, in the rain outside of a coffee shop, I feel the last weight on my heart lift. And I say the only three words that are needed right now.
“I forgive you.”
Chapter twenty-four
Leo
Finally. 7pm on the dot. I hurry out the door of the police station and get into my truck. Kat is with Violet tonight, and I already told her I would be home late, if at all. Turns out, having balance and freedom as a dad is possible when I just allow my family to help the way they want.
I check my phone one last time. There’s still no message from Serena since the one she sent earlier this afternoon. That one just said she was going to have dinner with her dad. I’m hoping that means things went well.
But just in case, I stopped by The Nutty Muffin on my break and had Mila put together a box of treats, all of Serena’s favourites. And now I’m on my way to the studio to see her.
I need to see for myself that she’s okay after talking to her dad.
But when I pull up to the studio, the lights are all off. She still isn’t home.
My phone flips around in my hand as I debate back and forth whether to text her. I don’t want to interrupt them, but I have to admit, I’m going a little crazy with worry.
When my phone starts to vibrate, I almost drop it in my hurry to open the message. But it’s not from her. And neither are the ones that follow immediately after.
MAX: Hey buddy, any word from Serena?
SAWYER: Not that we’re being nosy or anything.
MAX: Bro we totally are. We’re channeling our inner teenage girls right now.
BECKETT: Speak for yourself. I’m content to leave Leo and Serena alone.
SAWYER: Fuck that. She’s basically family. And we’re allowed to be nosy about family.
BECKETT: Remind me again, how old are you?
SAWYER: Not as old as you.
MAX: He’s five minutes older, Sawyer. Five. Minutes.
JUDE: I miss all the good shit. What’s going on with Serena? Why are we being nosy fuckers?
SAWYER: Bro! Good game last night, but what the fuck was with that missed pass from Grayson?
JUDE: … Last time I checked I was the professional athlete and you were rescuing kittens from trees. How bout you check that attitude.
SAWYER: Fuck off.
LEO: Hey guys, as much as I hate to interrupt whatever this is, I’m gonna mute your ass so I don’t miss any messages from Serena.
MAX: Still no word, huh? I’m sure she’s fine.
SAWYER: Yeah, if her dad does anything to upset her, he’s gonna have all of us to answer to.
