“Proof of what?”
He swallowed.
“Because otherwise someone might say I’m confused.”
Then he added quietly,
“Or accuse me of trying to interfere with your marriage.”
He never said Natalie’s name.
He didn’t need to.
“Dad, what is going on?”
Instead of answering, he placed one rough hand on my shoulder.
“I’m trying to give you something I should have given you a long time ago.”
There was something underneath his voice.
Urgency.
Maybe fear.
But this was also the man who had never made me prove I deserved his help.
So I decided not to make him prove why he deserved mine.
“I’ll get the money.”
Relief crossed his face.
“I’ll pay you back.”
“You don’t have to.”
I went into my office and opened the small safe beneath my desk.
As I counted the cash, Natalie appeared in the doorway.
“You’re really giving him the money?”
“Yes.”
“We agreed to discuss major expenses.”
“He has never asked me for money before.”
“That doesn’t mean it won’t become a habit.”
I turned toward her.
“He’s my father.”
“And this is our house.”
That sentence stayed with me.
Part 3 soon…