Page 59 of Finding Forgiveness

“And the baby?”

I shrug because I can’t give him any more than that. “I don’t know.”

“You didn’t ask her?”

“At the time I was too angry to speak.”

“You need to talk to her about this, Son.”

“I can’t, she’s gone.”

“Gone where?”

“Mudgee.”

“I don’t know where that is.”

“It’s about four hours north-west of Sydney.” I only know that because I googled it. “A small country town in the middle of nowhere.”

“Does she know anyone who lives there?”

“I don’t think so.” I shake my head as my anger starts to rise again. “I can’t believe she’d do something like this. I never picked her for a coward.”

He scrubs his hand over his chin. “I can understand why you’re upset, Connor, but it’s hard for me to weigh in without knowing all the facts.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s such a lawyer thing to say.”

He chuckles. “You can take the man out of the courtroom, Son, but you can never take the courtroom out of the man.”

“You’re such a cliché, old man.”

“Hey, enough of the old thank you very much.”

I bury my head in my hands and groan. “It took her six years to tell me, Dad. It’s not like she never had the chance to say something before then … she’s been in our lives the entire time.”

“That part I don’t agree with, you had a right to know, but it doesn’t seem like something Cassie would do intentionally. Despite her upbringing with those poor excuses for parents, she’s a sweet kid with a big heart. It doesn’t make sense. There must be more to it.”

“She left me a letter before she ran away.”

“And what did it say?”

“I didn’t read it.”

“Son,” he says with disappointment in his voice.

“I wasn’t ready. Sue me.”

“I’m a lawyer, I could do that.”

“So am I remember,” I say as my lips slightly turn up at the corners. “I could countersue.”

“On what grounds?”

“I’d think of something.” We both laugh … I needed that. This inner pity party I’ve been throwing myself is draining.

“Are you not interested in seeing what’s in the letter? You might find the answers you’re seeking.”

“Maybe,” I say, bringing the beer to my mouth.