Chapter 22 - OWEN FINALLY TALKS TO HIS FATHER
Four months passed before Owen asked Adam the question directly.
They sat in a therapy room with Dr. Avery.
No Lena.
Owen wanted that.
“Did you think I was bad?”
Adam’s face tightened.
“No.”
“Then why did you need people to think I was?”
Silence.
Dr. Avery did not rescue him.
Adam answered slowly.
“Because I was scared about adult problems.”
“That doesn’t answer.”
Adam almost smiled sadly.
“You’re right.”
He tried again.
“I thought if people believed Mom had trouble taking care of you, she would be more afraid to fight me about money.”
Owen frowned.
“So I was money?”
Adam started crying.
“No.”
“But you used me for money.”
“Yes.”
The word nearly broke him.
Owen looked at his shoes.
“Did you love me then?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Adam closed his eyes.
The question was impossible and fair.
“I loved you.”
He opened his eyes.
“And I still made a terrible choice that hurt you.”
Owen stared.
“I thought love meant you don’t do that.”
Adam’s voice shook.
“Love should stop us from doing a lot of things. Sometimes people fail.”
“Then what’s the point?”
Dr. Avery leaned forward.
“What do you think, Owen?”
He thought.
“Maybe saying sorry.”
Adam waited.
Owen added:
“And not doing it again.”
Adam nodded.
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Owen looked at him.
“Grandma says she’s sorry.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to see her.”
“That’s okay.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No.”
Adam meant it.
That surprised Owen.
For months he had feared adults would make him comfort Carol.
Adam did not.
Another small restoration.
Before leaving, Owen asked:
“Can Dad come to my soccer game?”
Dr. Avery looked at him.
“You want him there?”
“Yes.”
Adam covered his mouth.
Owen rolled his eyes.
“Don’t cry.”
Adam laughed through tears.
“I’ll try.”
It was not forgiveness.
It was Saturday soccer.
May you like
Sometimes rebuilding began at that scale.
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