CHAPTER 14: THE LETTER
She sent me a letter, but I didn't open it. I knew what it would say. More blame, more guilt, more manipulation.
I put it in a drawer and left it there.
My father came to visit again, this time with a small bag and a hopeful expression.
"Can I stay a few days?" he asked. "I need to get away. Your mother called Lauren, and she's been... dramatic."
I almost said no. But he looked so lost, so broken, that I couldn't.
"Of course," I said. "Stay as long as you need."
He unpacked his bag in the guest room and came downstairs with a deep sigh.
"Rachel, I need to tell you something," he said. "Something I should have said a long time ago."
"Okay."
He sat down on the couch. "When you were born, I cried. I held you in my arms and I thought, 'This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.' I promised myself I'd protect you. That I'd never let anyone hurt you."
"But you did."
"I did. I let them. I let your mother—" He broke off, shaking his head. "I don't know why. I guess I was so scared of losing her that I lost everything else."
"Dad—"
"I just need you to know. That I loved you. I loved you from the first minute I saw you. And I've been ashamed of myself ever since I failed you."
I sat beside him and took his hand.
"I know," I said. "I've always known."
He leaned his head against my shoulder and cried.
And I held him.
Because that's what family did.
Even when they were broken.
May you like
Even when they'd hurt you.
You held them until they were whole again.
