I make a new pile with the pages Iâve already read. I stare down at the manuscript in disbelief. I know I should be angry that heâs lied to me for so long, but being in his head is somehow justifying his behavior to me. And not only that, but itâs also justifying my fatherâs behavior.
Ben is right. Now that I look back on that day, I can see that my father wasnât entirely to blame. He was expressing his opinion over my career, which every parent has the right to do. And even though I disagreed with him and the way he delivered it, he never was the best at communication. Besides, I obviously had it out for him as soon as he sat down at the booth. He went into defense mode, I was in attack mode, and things just went south from there.
I need to remember that thereâs more than one way people show love. And even though his way and my way are completely opposite, itâs still love.
I go to flip to the next chapter, but a few pieces of notebook paper fall out of the section between chapters five and six. I set the pages of the manuscript down and pick up the letter. Itâs another note written by Ben.