Chapter 17 - FATHER AND DAUGHTERRyan stood beneath a tree in the park.
When he saw Lily, he almost collapsed.
She walked slowly toward him.
"Dad?"
His eyes filled with tears.
"Hi, sweetheart."
He didn't hug her.
He waited.
Lily made the choice.
She stepped forward.
They embraced.
It lasted only a few seconds.
But it changed both of them.
They talked for an hour.
She asked hard questions.
He answered them.
He didn't blame his parents.
He didn't blame me.
He didn't make excuses.
He simply told the truth.
Before leaving, Lily handed him a drawing.
Ryan stared at it.
Then he cried.
On the plane home, Lily leaned against my shoulder.
"I'm glad I met him."
I kissed her forehead.
"Me too."
She looked at me.
"But you're still my mom."
I smiled.
"And Mark is still my dad."
She grinned.
"And Grandpa is still Grandpa."
Our family had survived.
May you like
Not because the past disappeared.
Because we'd learned how to live beyond it.
