Chapter 11 - I Met My Father at the Train Station, but He Refused to Let Me Call Him Dad
We found him at a train station.
He sat beneath a departure board.
His hair had turned white.
He wore an old brown coat.
I knew him anyway.
Some faces never leave you.
“Dad?”
He looked up.
His eyes filled immediately.
“Don't call me that here.”
The words cut deeper than I expected.
He glanced toward the cameras.
“Please.”
Reyes approached with two officers.
My father offered no resistance.
He handed over a flash drive.
“I kept the originals.”
At the station, he gave a full statement.
He described Vincent's operation.
He admitted building its first system.
He admitted running when the threats began.
Then he looked at me.
“I should have come back.”
I wanted to forgive him.
I couldn't yet.
“Mom needed you,” I said.
“I know.”
“I needed you.”
“I know that too.”
He didn't make excuses.
That was the first honest thing I had heard from him.
My mother arrived after her medical appointment.
She stopped in the doorway.
He stood slowly.
Neither spoke.
Then she crossed the room.
She touched his cheek.
And began to cry.
I watched them from the hall.
Gabriel stood beside me.
“You can be angry and relieved,” he said.
“I think I am.”
May you like
He offered his hand.
I took it.
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