Glen had been thinking about his father a lot the last couple of days.

His birthday was next Friday. He wanted to send him a card. He had

not heard from his father in a long time. He had a stepfather that he

loved, but it wasn’t the same. He still loved his dad although he had

abandoned him. Glen’s father had a daughter and a wife. He obviously

didn’t need his son.

He had not forgotten that Dr. Smith had said that his dad had called

on his birthday and hung up. Dr. Smith had made an excuse for his dad,

but Glen still wondered why he hung up. The only way to get an answer

was to call him. He would ask his mom if she had the number. Glen

did not want to hurt his mom by contacting his father, but he needed

answers that only his dad could give.

He changed his mind and decided to call his grandfather for his

dad’s number. That way he didn’t hurt his mom for no reason. His dad

probably wouldn’t even return his call. Glen looked up his

grandfather’s number in the telephone book.

“Hello?” Glen hesitated when he heard his grandfather’s voice.

“Hello?” the voice said again.

“Grandpa, it’s me Glen. I wanted to know if you had my dad’s

telephone number or his address. I wanted to send him a birthday

card.”

“Glen, why don’t you send the card to me,” replied his grandpa. “I’ll

make sure that he gets it. Do you have my address? How are you

doing? I haven’t seen you since your birthday.”

“I have your address, Grandpa. I’m doing really well. Dr. Smith

helped me get a tutor, and I am back in regular class now. I still have

a tutor until the end of the year because they want to make sure that

I don’t get behind, but I got all A’s and B’s on my report card. These

153

grades are real. They aren’t A’s just because I’m taking remedial

classes.

“I guess my sister is growing up now. I’ve never seen her. I guess

my dad doesn’t care how I’m doing,” questioned Glen.

“Glen, your father loves you,” replied Mr. Adams skirting the issue.

“He’ll appreciate your sending him a card. I’m sure it will make him

very happy to know you remembered his birthday. I have to go to the

store, Glen. Thanks for calling. Call me anytime.”

“Bye Grandpa, you can call me anytime,” said Glen.

“Bye Glen,” replied his grandfather.

Mr. Adams didn’t know what to say to his grandson. His son

Derrick had abandoned his family. He had had an affair when he was

married to Glen’s mother. The rift came when Ellen filed child support.

He didn’t blame Ellen. Ellen had to work two jobs after the divorce.

A real man takes care of his child willingly. He doesn’t have to be

taken to court. He knew his son loved Glen, but he was letting his pride

keep him from contacting him. He had changed jobs to avoid paying

child support after Elizabeth was born and money got tight.

Ellen had not filed court papers again. She was married to a doctor

now, so she didn’t need the money. His son was doing okay financially.

He could afford to pay support for his son. It would mean a lot to Glen

to know his father wanted to provide for him.

He had talked to Derrick until he was tired of hearing himself talk.

Maybe the birthday card would trigger some emotions in his son that

would make him acknowledge Glen. How can a man bring a child born

out of love into this world and not do everything in his power to provide

for him? How could any man deny his child? He had asked his son this

question many times.

Glen went to buy a card, but they all were a lie. His father hadn’t

been there for him. His father wasn’t his best friend. His father wasn’t

his hero. He decided to write his own card. Glen thought for along time

before he wrote what turned out to be a letter instead of a card.

154

Glen mailed the letter before he could chicken out. He got a stamp

from the stamp drawer and dropped it off in the mailbox on the way

to school.

He got on the bus and plopped into the seat next to David. David

was his best friend. He had helped him get out of the remedial class.

He was the first person that believed in him. His encouragement and

support meant the world to Glen. David was at his house on his

birthday when his dad had called. He knew all about their relationship.

He could tell David anything.

“David, I stopped being afraid and decided to contact my dad

myself,” admitted Glen. “I called my grandfather for the information.

He didn’t give me his phone number or address, but he did say that he

would deliver the letter to my father for me if I sent it to him.

“I didn’t tell my mom because I didn’t want to upset her if he

doesn’t call me. Do you think I made a mistake? Everything’s going

well at home. Dr. Smith is wonderful to my mom and me, but I miss

my dad.

“Before the divorce, we were close. Even when they were arguing

every night, we were still close. When he married his new wife he

stopped visiting, but he would call now and then.

“After Elizabeth was born, he stopped calling all together. He

changed jobs so he didn’t have to pay child support. The government

took his taxes and he flipped out on my mom. She cried for days. That

was the last time we heard from him.

“Why do I still need his love? Why do I want to be with somebody

that doesn’t love me? Should I just leave well enough alone, David?”

questioned Glen.

“Glen, my dad has been with me all my life. I don’t know how I

would feel if he just left me. When we were having financial problems,

155

we were afraid my parents were going to divorce, but my parents

loved each other enough to work out their problems.

“They didn’t get fixed overnight. They went to counseling at

church. We went to family counseling together. It wasn’t easy.

Reverend Cummings said we had to be committed as a family, and we

had to agree to do the work. He gave us assignments. In the process

we developed a better relationship with my dad. I understand him now.

“You need answers in order to move on with your life. It’s the only

way for you to gain closure. I learned that in counseling,” laughed

David.

“Glen, if you need to talk I’ll be around. You were there for me

when my parents were tripping.”

“We’ll talk after school,” replied Glen.

The bus pulled up at school and each boy went their separate way

to class.

Glen’s grandfather received the letter the next day. He hoped this

letter would be the catalyst for a new beginning for his son and

grandson.

Derrick was at the shop. That was the place to find him these days.

He had become a partner in a garage and he spent twelve to fourteen

hours a day, seven days a week working there.

He knew Derrick missed his son and a part of his total devotion to

his business was that he had less time to think about Glen. He had

convinced himself that Glen didn’t need him and that he was better off

being brought up by Dr. Smith and Ellen.

His dad could see that it hurt him to give custody of his son over

to another man. His dad told him he didn’t have to do it. Ellen had never

asked him to let Dr. Smith adopt his son. That was his personal choice.

He was taking the easy way out, and telling himself he was doing what

was best for Glen.

What was best for Glen was to know that he had a father that loved

him. How was he going to explain to Elizabeth that he had given up on

her brother? Glen’s grandfather knew that eventually Glen would

resent Elizabeth’s relationship with his dad as much as he resented

Sheri, Derrick’s current wife.

156

Sheri had made no secret of the fact that she considered Glen an

intrusion in their life. She thought that if Glen remained close with

Derrick, then he might go back to Ellen. Her fear was every woman’s

fear that is involved with a married man, especially if he leaves his wife

for her. The underlying doubt about whether he will leave to go back

to his wife or another woman is always there.

It must be terrible to always have to look over your shoulder

because you destroyed another person’s marriage or wonder what

cartwheels you have to do to keep him interested so he doesn’t stray.

Glen’s grandfather shook his head in disgust.

Derrick saw his father coming and prepared himself for another

confrontation. His father had a letter in his hand. What was it now?

His birthday was next week. Maybe it was just as simple as bringing

him a card.

He hated fighting with his father. His dad walked up to him and

handed him the letter.

“Glen called me and asked if I had your telephone number or

address because he wanted to send you a birthday card,” said his dad.

“I promised him I would make sure you got it if he sent it to me. I’ll

just give it to you and go, because you know how I feel about my

grandson.”

His father walked away and got into his car. He let him go so he

could read the letter by himself. Derrick read the letter several times.

He began to sob. His son still loved him despite everything he had done

to shut him out of his life.

He could tell from the letter that Glen was very hurt. He thought

Derrick had walked out of his life without regret. He needed to make

him understand why he’d walked away. Was his father right? Had he

walked away because it was easier? So he didn’t have to argue with

Sheri?

He didn’t have to make any sacrifices because he didn’t pay child

support. He went on with his life without taking any responsibility for

his son.

His mom and dad were divorced. How would he have felt if his

father just went on with his life with his new family? He wondered how

157

his son could still love him. He did not deserve his son’s love or respect.

He clearly hadn’t earned it.

His son had extended him an olive branch. It was up to him to make

things right. He got his partner to take over for him. He needed to talk

to his wife.

On Glen’s birthday, Sheri had admitted that at first she didn’t want

Derrick to have a relationship with Glen because she was afraid he

might go back to Ellen. Now that Ellen was happily married, she felt

more comfortable about him rebuilding a relationship with his son.

Derrick had to make sure she was on board, one hundred percent.

He did not want his son hurt anymore. He wanted Glen to be a part

of their family. If Sheri did not support his decision, this time he would

take a stand. He had to step up to the plate. It would affect their life

and their finances. He was sure Sheri would accept him seeing his son,

but the fight would come when he told her he was going to pay child

support.

Sheri wanted the best for Elizabeth, and she felt Ellen’s new

husband should be responsible for Derrick’s financial responsibilities

towards Glen. After all, didn’t Ellen land herself a big time doctor?

Sheri did not have Ellen’s heart. Derrick had broken Ellen’s heart

numerous times, and yet she had never been vindictive. Sheri had

thrown their relationship in Ellen’s face. He regretted how everything

had ended. Secretly he regretted destroying his marriage, but he would

never walk out on another child.

Glen did not want to keep secrets from his mom. He decided to tell

her about the letter he sent to his father. Ellen knew that Glen missed

his dad, but she hadn’t realized how much the separation still hurt him.

Tom had become a second father to her son and she had hoped that

their love would be enough.

What would Derrick do when he got Glen’s letter? Would he even

bother to read it? Derrick was not heartless. He had been a good

father to his son while they were together. For young parents, they had

managed a loving environment for their son before they grew apart.

It would hurt, but she had to prepare her son for the possibility that

158

Derrick might not contact him. She prayed that her son would not be

hurt again.

Ellen asked Glen if it was okay to tell Dr. Smith. Glen wanted to

tell him himself. He didn’t want him to think that he did not love him.

He had been the one to play baseball and football with him when he

needed a substitute father. He had helped him with his extra work and

paid for his tutors. He was the one that made his mom happy. He didn’t

want to hurt him.

Glen talked to Dr. Smith that night. He understood that Glen missed

his dad. He reassured Glen that this would have no affect on their

relationship. He wanted Glen to be happy.

A part of Tom wanted to wring Derrick’s neck. How could he do

this to his son? The only thing he knew about Derrick was that he was

Ellen’s ex-husband. He had tried not to interfere, but if Derrick tossed

his son’s feelings aside one more time, he was not sure if he could just

stand by and watch the two people he loved the most be hurt again.

Sheri looked up when Derrick came home. He tossed the letter

onto the table. She picked it up and read it. She could see that he was

visibly upset over the letter.

“What are you going to do?” asked his wife.

“I’m going to do what I should have done a long time ago. I am

going to be a father to my son, emotionally and financially,” replied

Derrick.

He saw his wife’s face. This was not a sudden decision for him.

He had not stopped thinking about his son since Glen’s birthday. This

was one of the reasons he bought the shop. His son deserved the same

amount of his love and financial support as their daughter.

“Derrick, you are just starting to turn a profit at the shop. Ellen

doesn’t need the money. I am all for you seeing your son, but why can’t

you postpone child support until we are more stable? Ellen dropped the

child support lawsuit. You don’t have to pay. When we can afford it,

then we’ll contribute to Glen’s financial needs.”

Derrick turned to his wife. “When are we going to be financially

ready, Sheri? You want the best for Elizabeth, but don’t think we

should contribute anything towards Glen’s care. My son needs to

159

know not only that I love him, but also that I care enough to help provide

for him. This is not negotiable. I will not choose one child over the

other, not anymore.”

Sheri knew Derrick’s mind was made up. She knew better than to

cross him when he had made a decision. He loved his son. She had

watched him throw himself into his work.

He partly blamed her for his son not being in his life. He had

withdrawn from her and was staying out late. If she wanted to keep

her marriage, she had better get onboard. She did not want to lose her family.

“I am going to call Ellen and set up a time to meet with her and her

husband. They have been good parents to Glen. I don’t want to

disrespect them by just contacting Glen. I hope you will join me, but

it’s your choice,” said Derrick.

“Of course I will be there,” replied his wife.

Tom and Ellen met with Sheri and Derrick. Ellen hadn’t seen Sheri

since she confronted her about her relationship with her husband. The

sight of her brought back the pain and humiliation of that tragic day.

Her husband saw her reaction and grabbed her hand. He leaned over

and whispered. “It will be all right. We are doing what’s best for Glen.”

Derrick spoke first.

“The first thing I want to do, is apologize to both of you. Tom, I want

to thank you for being a father to my son. Ellen, I’m sorry. When I

called on Glen’s birthday and Tom picked up the phone, I heard Tom

call him ‘son’, and I thought I had lost my son.

“A sharp pain went through my gut. I knew I deserved it. I had hurt

my son and you over and over again. I convinced myself I was doing

what was best for Glen by staying out of his life.

“I am not making excuses for myself. I walked out on my son. I

changed jobs to keep from paying child support. I have not contacted

my son in over a year.

“I called you because I want to have relationship with my son. I

would like to have him every other weekend, if that’s okay with you

and him. I went to social services and set up monthly child support

payments that will go to you. It’s not a lot, but it’s the best I can do right

160

now. I hope in time I can rebuild my relationship with my son. I want

to try, Ellen. I really do.”

“Derrick, Glen misses you. I want you to have a relationship with

him, but I have to be one hundred percent certain that you and Sheri

are committed to being a part of Glen’s life. Ultimately it will be Glen’s

decision. I will not force anything on him.

“Glen has been hurt a lot. You can’t expect to just start having

overnight visits. You can call Glen. If he wants to get together with you

for the day, that will be a starting place. After you have regained his

trust and he’s comfortable being with your family, then we’ll discuss

weekend visits. If that’s acceptable, then you can set something up

with Glen for Saturday.”

“Thank you Ellen. I overstepped my boundary. You’re right. I

can’t rebuild my relationship with my son in a day. It’s got to be an

ongoing process.

“I want him to believe that it’s not a one-time event. I will call him

this week, and hopefully he will agree to see me. Ellen, I promise you.

I am in this for the long haul. I will not hurt our son again,” responded

Derrick.

Derrick called Glen and they agreed to go to the ball game on

Saturday. Derrick didn’t want to put a lot of pressure on him. It wasn’t

a weekend visit, but it was a start.

161