“And if one of them does not want a relationship at the same speed as his brothers, you respect that.”
“Yes.”
I looked at him.
“You are not entitled to the childhood you refused to verify.”
He swallowed.
“I know.”
“You only get to choose what kind of father you are from today forward.”
That became our first honest conversation in almost a decade.
Later, Adrian went downstairs.
He did not say:
I’m your father.
He did not ask for hugs.
He walked toward the game table and said:
“Can I play?”
Noah looked at him.
“You know hockey?”
“A little.”
“That means no.”
Adrian almost smiled.
“Test me.”
Five minutes later they were arguing about rules.
Lucas immediately started asking about helicopters.
Ethan asked whether military life was actually like movies.
Miles watched.
Adrian noticed.
He moved closer but did not crowd him.
“What do you like?”
Miles shrugged.
