“That no matter what happens, no matter what the outcome is, that you don't blame me for it.” My father was asking me not to shut him out. I couldn’t do that. We’d had our differences over the years, but he was still my father.
And he was going to be a grandfather.
“You've given me more than I deserve, Dad. I'm not going to blame you for it. I'm not going to blame you for any of it. I'm grateful for everything that you've done,” I said. I could see where he wouldn't understand. Where it looked like I was ungrateful, but that wasn't my intention. No matter what he had done, no matter how big of an asshole he was, he was my father, and I loved him.
"Thank you," I said. He was making a sacrifice for me, for my happiness. That wasn't my father, at least not the one I knew. But he was changing. He was already different.
He was going to have a little grandchild who loved him too.
I knew I had to tell him, but I couldn't. Not now. There were a few other things that I had to arrange first.
But he would know in time.
"Are you sure you are making the right call, Wyatt?" he asked. Not to push me, not to make me angry. But because he really did want to know.
“I love her, dad.” I said it as matter-of-factly as if saying the sky were blue or the sun was yellow. It was the truth. It was something that we both tried to deny for so long, but it wasn't going to change.
“Then don't let me or anyone else get in the way of that. I let a whole bunch of excuses ruin my one chance at happiness all those years ago, and I’ve kicked myself every single day for it.”
“Then you should tell her dad,” I said. Miranda had a right to know. Just like Rose did.
“I'm an asshole. I know that. But I want you to be happy too," he said. “I love you, kid. I do."
It was the first time my father had ever used those words, and I believed them.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I looked over at him. I’d gotten into his truck at his request when he stopped by my place after work, but he hadn’t given me any details.
“Don't you worry about that. I have a job for you though” he said as he looked at me from the other side of the truck. He was being so mysterious, but I didn't understand why.
And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a part of this game.
“I need you to call your mom, and if you just tell her to meet us at the amphitheater tonight, that would be awesome. I have a little surprise for her. For you both, really.” His eyes sparkled as he said it.
“So what are you getting at? The amphitheater?” The last time we were there everything fell apart. It was the last a place that I wanted to go to. I’d even avoided it on my way too and from work, driving the long way around. I didn’t want this second chance to get ruined for any reason. But he worked so hard to build it, and to provide for the town. It had been open for a few days and I really needed to get over it.
The man was giving back to his community and he was trying to give back to me. The least I could do was enjoy the beautiful space he’d renovated.
“Are you sure everything is okay?” I asked.
“Look, you don't need to worry about it. This is not a bad thing. I want to show you what I'm capable of.” I knew what he was capable of. Anything he put his mind to. That was Wyatt. Strong and capable. And so damn handsome in profile view.
I did what he asked me. I dialed my mother and I waited for her to answer the phone. I’d do anything he wanted, really. It wasn’t that hard.
“Hello?” my mom said.
“Hi mom, how are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m doing fine. Really well, actually. But I’ll tell you about that later. What do you need, sweetie?” she asked.
“How do you know I need something? Can’t a girl just call her mom and ask how she is doing?” I asked. I did need something from her, but that was beside the point.
“Of course. But what do you need?” she asked again. I could almost hear her smile in the background. She’d always been able to read me. Even over the phone and a hundred miles away.
She called it mother’s intuition.
“It isn’t about what I need. It’s about what Wyatt needs. He wants you to meet us at the amphitheater. The new one that he had built for Laurel. Do you think you could do that?” I asked.
“What?” she said. “Why?”
“I honestly don’t know. It’s all some kind of secret plot he is hatching, but if you could be there tonight at seven it would make his day,” I said.
“Is he there?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I answered.
“Give the phone to him.”
“What?” I asked.