I heard my daughter whisper on the phone, “I miss you, Dad” – I buried her father 18 years ago

Charles looked down.

“I thought about it every year,” he admitted calmly. “But I always told myself you two would be better off.”

I laughed. This cowardice was almost ridiculous.

He hesitated, his gaze wandering toward the window as if he couldn’t bear to meet my eyes.

“Mom and I haven’t spoken in years,” he added quietly. “What she did… I don’t know if I can ever forgive him.”

Side profile of an older woman | Source: Midjourney
Side profile of an older woman | Source: Midjourney

Then his voice broke. There was real emotion. But I wasn’t ready to be moved. Not yet. I reached into my bag and slid a document across the table, almost spilling his cup of coffee.

His fingers trembled slightly as he unfolded them.

“What’s wrong, Allie?” he asks cautiously.