Chapter 13 - Owen Did Not Want a New Father
Three months passed before Owen responded to Callum’s letter.
Five words.
I’m not ready to meet.
Callum cried when he read them.
Then did something new.
He accepted them.
He sent one response:
I understand. I’ll be here if that changes.
No guilt.
No gifts.
No surprise visit.
No using biology as a demand.
Rachel later allowed occasional written exchanges.
Questions first.
What college had Callum attended?
Did he play baseball?
Was he allergic to peanuts?
Why hadn’t he tested again?
That last answer took Callum hours to write.
He finally said:
Because trusting my mother was easier than risking the possibility that she was wrong and I had abandoned you. I’m sorry I chose the easier belief.
Owen did not answer for two weeks.
Then:
At least that sounds true.
It was not reconciliation.
It was the beginning of honesty.
May you like
That was enough.
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