Page 97 of Dreaming at Seaside
“Okay, play it your way.” He put the car in reverse. “Your mother thinks this has to do with a woman, and, son, if she’s right, then good luck to you.”
Caden wanted to tell his father all about Bella, that he loved her and that he’d made a mistake by saying he needed a break, but saying the words would only make it harder to digest.
“I have a feeling I’m out of luck, Pop.”
His father huffed out a low laugh. “So, thisisabout a woman. Well, then, let me clueyouin on something. I dated a few women before I married your mother, but when I met her.Pow!” He flicked his fingers forward, as if he were casting a spell out into the world. “Our eyes met and I could think of nothing but her every minute of every day afterward. Still can’t.” He shook his head and a smile spread across his face. “That’s how you know it’s real love, son. There’s no ifs ands or buts. There’s only life with her or torture without her.”
Torture. That sums it up perfectly.
His father had never led him astray, and as they drove up to the house, Caden decided to open up to him.
“Well, Pop. I’ve got Evan. I have more to think about than just how I feel about her.”
“Caden.” His father paused as he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. He turned to face Caden with a serious look in his eyes. “You’ve done a great job of raising Evan for all these years. Everyone who knows you recognizes how much you’ve given up for him, and despite this business of hanging with the wrong kids, he’s a great kid. That’s because of you, Caden. All because of you. But, son, you must know that a man who never puts his own needs first can’t be the best parent all the time.”
Caden sat up a little taller, defending the fine job he’d done of raising Evan, despite his recent trouble. “I think I am a better parent for putting his needs first.”
“You probably are a better father than you might have been if you hadn’t done that, but, son, any way you cut it, a happy man isalwaysa better father than an unhappy man. And for the first time in years, you’re carrying around a banner with a frigging frown on it. You seem like you’ve lost George all over again, and I guess in a sense, if this woman is that important to you, then maybe you have.” His father reached across the seat and settled his hand on Caden’s shoulder. “Think about it. That’s all I’m saying, son. If I can sense the unhappiness, so can he.” He pointed to Evan riding his skateboard toward the car.
He’d been doing nothingbutthinking about it since Tuesday night.
