Temptation Trails - Page 174

“Yeah. I actually wanted to talk to you about something.” I sat on the other side of the couch.

“Am I in trouble?”

“Should you be?”

He tried to hide a grin. “No. I don’t think so. No shoplifting at least.”

That wasn’t what I’d meant to bring up, but since he had. “Can we talk about that?”

“I did my time, Dad. It’s over.”

“I know, I don’t mean punishment. Why did you do it?”

The corners of his mouth lifted. “I wanted cookies?”

“C’mon. Why did you really do it?”

His brow furrowed and he glanced away. “It’s stupid.”

“Son, you can tell me.”

“I was mad.”

“At who?”

“I don’t even know. At Mom, I guess. And kind of at you.”

“Mad at me because Mom didn’t stay?”

“Yeah. I know it isn’t your fault. I’m not a grown-up, but I get that adults make their own choices and have to take responsibility for them.”

“It’s a big deal that you understand that. I guess I haven’t completely failed.”

He grinned again. “You’re actually a really good dad. I have some friends who aren’t as lucky as I am.”

That hit me square in the chest. “Thanks. I’ve done my best.”

“Let’s be honest. I’m pretty awesome, so you can take some of the credit.”

I nudged his leg. “You are awesome. But don’t go too Uncle Z on me.”

“Why not? He’s awesome too. Maybe I get some of my awesomeness from him.”

“Let’s just say it runs in the family and call it good.”

“Fair.”

“Can I ask you another question?”

“Sure.”

“Are you still mad?”

“At Mom? A little bit, yeah. I just don’t get it. But I also think things are better without her. She wasn’t good at being a mom, even when she was here. It’s less confusing this way.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. Except you picked her, so that part is. But if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t exist, so I can’t be too upset about it.”