Noah Asked to See His Father
Chapter 18 - Noah Asked to See His Father
At thirteen, Noah made a decision Jonathan feared.
He wanted to visit Michael.
"Are you sure?"
"No."
Jonathan smiled.
"That's honest."
Michael had served more than five years.
His prison counselors reported genuine progress.
He no longer sent manipulative letters.
He no longer demanded forgiveness.
Noah wanted answers.
Jonathan took him.
Michael looked older.
Thinner.
When Noah entered the visitation room, Michael began crying.
He didn't reach for him.
"Hi, buddy."
Noah sat down.
"Don't call me that."
Michael nodded.
"Okay."
For twenty minutes, Noah asked questions.
Why did you lie?
Why did you take me?
Why did you scare Mom?
Why did money matter so much?
Michael answered without excuses.
Finally Noah asked:
"Did you love us?"
Michael looked at him for a long time.
"Yes."
"Then why did you hurt us?"
Michael's voice broke.
"Because loving someone doesn't automatically make you a good person."
Noah looked toward Jonathan.
Jonathan remained silent.
This was Noah's conversation.
When they left, Noah cried in the parking lot.
Jonathan held him.
"Was it a mistake?"
"No."
"Do you forgive him?"
Noah wiped his face.
"I don't know."
Jonathan nodded.
"You have time."
That night Noah placed an old photograph of Michael back on his bookshelf.
Not beside Emily.
Not hidden away.
May you like
Somewhere in between.
Exactly where his feelings belonged.
