Learning to Be a Father
Chapter 14 - Learning to Be a Father
Adrian arrived thirty minutes early.
He had negotiated acquisitions across three continents.
Yet standing outside an elementary school cafeteria made him nervous.
Eli found him near the entrance.
"You came."
"Of course."
"You said you'd always come."
"I meant it."
Eli smiled.
Inside, fathers sat beside their children eating pancakes from paper plates.
No crystal glasses.
No private chefs.
No security guards.
Adrian loved every minute.
Eli introduced him simply.
"This is my dad."
Each time, Adrian felt the words.
Later, while walking to the car, Eli asked, "Are you and Mom getting married?"
Adrian nearly choked.
"What?"
"Just asking."
"Why?"
Eli shrugged.
"You look at her weird."
"How?"
"Like you're sad and happy at the same time."
Adrian laughed.
"You're too observant."
"So?"
Adrian stopped beside the car.
"Your mother and I have a lot to figure out."
"Do you love her?"
Adrian looked toward the school.
"Part of me probably never stopped."
Eli nodded as though this confirmed something obvious.
"But love doesn't fix everything."
"What does?"
Adrian thought about it.
"Honesty."
That evening, he told Rachel what Eli had asked.
She laughed.
Then grew quiet.
"Do you?"
"What?"
"Love me?"
Adrian met her eyes.
"I loved the girl you were."
Rachel nodded.
"And I think I'm starting to love the woman you became."
Her eyes filled.
"But I'm angry too."
"You should be."
"And you're angry with me."
"I am."
Neither pretended otherwise.
That was different from their youth.
Back then, they had hidden fear behind pride.
Now they sat in a small kitchen and told each other uncomfortable truths.
"I don't want the life you had," Rachel said.
"The penthouses?"
"The walls."
Adrian understood.
"I don't either."
She looked surprised.
"What do you want?"
Adrian thought of the yellow-shuttered house Rachel had described years ago.
"A backyard."
Rachel smiled.
"That's strangely specific."
"And maybe tomatoes."
Her smile disappeared.
"You remember."
May you like
"I remember everything."
For the first time since her return, Rachel reached across the table and took his hand.
