Page 116 of This Kind of Forever

I was so excited about the prospect of being wanted, I didn’t stop to think about how diving in headfirst might end poorly. There are so many feelings involved here, and not only mine.

“For what it’s worth, there isn’t some kind of standard I expect you to meet,” Kevin says. “I want to know you simply because you exist. That’s enough for me. Hearing about all the wonderful facets of your life is an added bonus.”

Something inside me shifts then. It’s slight, but it’s like some small fissure in the deepest part of me is being mended.

Tears line my lashes, and I nod. “Thank you. I… Thank you.”

Kevin pushes to his feet, and I stand, too. “I should get going. I don’t want to take up too much of your time,” he says. “Maybe we could meet at Dockside for lunch next week? Just you and me.”

“I’d like that.”

“Oh.” He slips a hand into his pocket. “I almost forgot.”

When he extends his palm toward me, the purple bracelet Caitlyn got me is sitting there. I take it, smoothing my thumb over the beads.

“She wanted me to make sure you got it,” he explains. “And when you’re ready, she’d like to spend some time with you. Bryan, too.”

“They don’t hate me?”

Kevin shakes his head. “Not at all. They understand why you did what you did, and they regret how things went with their mother.”

I walk my father to the exit, and then I wave when he stops beside his car. Only once he’s backing down the driveway do I shut the door.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I send a quick text.

Kevin gave me the bracelet. Thank you again. I think I need a little time, but I’d like to get to know you and Bryan too.

I barely make it halfway up the stairs when a reply comes through.

Caitlyn

Take all the time you need! We’re not going anywhere.

And I’m glad you like the bracelet. Purple is my favourite colour too.

Upstairs, I find Gabe sitting in bed, watching TV. Wordlessly, I crawl across the mattress and settle into his waiting arms.

He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “How did it go?”

“Good. It was…really good.” I shift against him so I can better see his face. “I’m sorry I asked you to lie for me. I don’t think I’ve properly apologized for that.”

He shakes his head. “I knew what I was doing. Besides, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you, Foster.”

“Because you love me?”

“Because I love you.”

“Good,” I say. “Because I love you, too.”

FORTY-ONE

GABE

Abbie runs aheadthrough the automatic doors, escaping the snow that is slowly starting to blanket the ground. With a week to go until Christmas, I figured we’d be having a green one, but we woke up today to a sea of white.

As I follow after my daughter, I envy how carefree she is. She’s not nervous about this at all. Me, on the other hand? I’m trying not to sweat buckets.

“I found him, Daddy,” Abbie says, pointing across the lobby.