My Dad's College Friends - Forbidden Fun

There’s more sobbing in the background, and I’m not sure what to think. Are these sobs of sorrow? Regret? Disdain? I looked at Ryan and Reese with a question in my eyes, but they look just as perplexed. Reese uses his hand to signify hanging up a phone, and when Dad still doesn’t say anything, I decide to follow Reese’s advice.

“Umm, Michael, that’s all I was calling to say. If you decide that you want to meet your grandchild, just let us know, okay? Umm, I love you Dad. Hope to hear from you soon.”

As I was getting ready to end the call, I heard Dad quickly say, “Amelia, wait!”

Wondering what he could possibly have to say after those long stretches of silence, I put the phone back to my ear.

“Um, yes?”

“Sweetheart, don’t hang up yet. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. I was a fucking idiot.” I can hear him crying through the phone as he continues, “Amelia, I miss you, kiddo. And I know that’s my own fault because I should have been more open-minded of your relationship with Ryan and Reese. You’re a grown woman who can make her own choices, and my old-fashioned stupidity has cost me six months with you that I can never get back. I’m so sorry, Amelia. For all of it.”

His tearful apology breaks my heart. I don’t want my dad to be like this. Mike was always the rock in the middle of my craziness, so to hear him so beaten-down makes me feel terrible.

Finally managing to get his breathing under control, he continues, “You’re the most important person in the world to me, Amelia, so I should have been willing to at least discuss your new relationship with you instead of going off the rails. I don’t know why I made a big deal of it in the first place. I know that Ryan and Reese are amazing men who would never do you any harm. Sure, your relationship took me by surprise, but any woman would be lucky to have one them because they are strong, caring, successful men.”

He sobs a bit more as I share amazed looks with Ryan and Reese.

“Daddy,” I begin, but Mike interrupts me.

“What I’m trying to say is that I know that Ryan and Reese will take great care of both you and the baby. They’ll make great partners and great fathers. I know that now, and I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it. So yes, I would love to be a part of my grandchild’s life and yours too, if it’s not too late.”

“Dad, of course it’s not too late,” I say quickly. The warm wetness on my cheeks makes me realize that I’ve started crying too. “I miss you too Dad, so much.”

My father sniffles again.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s all water under the bridge, and what’s important is that we’re talking again. I’m sure that we have a lot to catch up on. How about you and the guys come over for dinner tomorrow? I’ll order some take out and we can have a nice family dinner? Or is that too much, too soon?”

Turning to look at my guys, I see that they’re just as shocked as I am. But they nod slightly, and swiping my eyes, I happily accept my dad’s invitation.

“We’d love to Dad. It’s not too awkward. We’ll be there tomorrow after work.”

“Okay, kiddo. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

There’s a long pause before he says, “I love you Amelia and I really am sorry for how I’ve acted these last few months. But I promise that I’m going to do better going forward.”

Touched by his statement, I whisper, “I love you too, Dad. Thank you so much. This means so much to me.”

With that, we both hang up quietly, and I look at Ryan and Reese. The three of us share stunned looks. I ask, “Did that just happen or am I dreaming?” Still in disbelief, I add, “Did my dad just tell me that not only does he want to be in our lives going forward, but he’s sorry for how he’s been acting the last six months? I just can’t believe it. This is way more than I thought would happen. I don’t even know what to do now.”

Brushing my cheek, Ryan answers for me, “What you do, sweetheart, is spend some time reconnecting with your father. This is what you’ve wanted for the last six months and now, by some miracle, it’s happening. This is a good thing, Amelia, right?”

I thought for a moment. Is it a good thing? I mean, how was I supposed to trust my dad after all of the bullshit he’s put us through? Did I really believe that Michael was going to be a changed man now just because he missed me? Was it really that easy to change his mind?