Page 133 of I Heart Mason Cartwright
“With Cassandra, I could reinvent myself, become an entirely new Jonathan Brooks, one who didn’t rely on his wife for everything.”
He hangs his head with a sigh. And stays that way for a few minutes. I finish my coffee and am about to say something when he looks up again. The pain so evident in his eyes, it takes my breath away.
“Except I’m not a new man, Willow. I’m the same man only now instead of a wife who supports my every move, I have one who critiques it.” He lets out a short and bitter laugh. “Which is just as emasculating. I avoided you because the reminder of your mother was so strong and my longing for her overwhelming. Then I avoided you because you represented my epic failure as a man when I had a chance to do it all over.”
I see tears start to slip down his cheeks. Making my own eyes water.
“And I’ve come to the realization that I’m just not a strong man. As much as I may want to be or try to portray myself as. I’ve accomplished things that should make me feel strong, like Brooks International.”
He names the company that he’s built from the ground up. And he should be proud of that, it does very well. So, I tell him so.
“It does do well. But not through any effort on my part. I got lucky with who I hired in the beginning. That’s all. It’s the people under me that make it all work. Make it grow and be a success. If it were left up to me, I’d probably have run it into the ground by now.”
“Dad—” I start.
He holds up his hand to stop me. “But, that’s not what I came here to say. And I’m not looking for your pity or any atta-boys. Regardless of the reasons, I’ve not been fair to you and I’m sorry for that. And today, when I sat there for hours and listened to you argue with Cassandra and AshLynn about things that have no purpose being argued over, I realized how long I’ve let that go on. I’m not sure when the divide started between Cassandra and AshLynn and then you, though I think it was always there and I’m just ignorant. But after you left today, it became so clear to me how long it’s been a problem and how often I’ve fostered it whether intentional or not.”
I wipe at the tears streaming down my face. My dad pulls his handkerchief out of his pocket and leans over the coffee table to hand it to me. I smile my thanks.
“I talked to Cassandra and AshLynn before I came over here. And told them a lot of the same things I’m telling you. I also told them there are changes that need to be made in this family. Changes regarding their perceived entitlement and especially changes with their behavior toward you and me. I think they understood. At least to the best of their ability to empathize with another person.”
I cry-laugh at that and blow my nose.
“I’m making you a promise now, Willow, to be a more supportive father to you and pay attention to your needs. To speak up when necessary and not allow Cassandra and AshLynn to steamroll you and your life. I only hope I’m not too late.” He stands and holds a hand out to me. I move toward him, but instead of taking his hand, I pull him into a hug.
“Thank you, Dad. I appreciate your honesty, it could not have been easy to open yourself up like that.”
“Thank you for listening to me. I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you too.”
He kisses me on the top of my head. “Well, I’m sure it’s been an emotional day for you, I didn’t mean to add to that.”
I wave my hand in the air, gesturing that it’s fine.
“I’m going to head out.”
I nod in response.
“You’ve got a really good guy there, Willow. I don’t know what he did tonight to make you mad, but I do know how much he loves you. Maybe cut him some slack if you can, huh?”
I smile. “I will.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow before we head back to Southlake to say goodbye.”
“I’d like that,” I say as I walk him to the door. He hugs me one last time and then leaves.
I flop back down on the couch. “Can you believe this day, P-Tink?” She yelps in response.
I feel exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. But still turn off the lights and get ready to go to bed. As I’m heading down the hall, I hear a knock on the door.
“Dad, what did you forget?” I ask as I open the door. Only instead of my dad, it’s Mason.
“Hey,” he says. “Can I come in?”
