Page 135 of Samson

“It’s okay. Grandma explained.”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“I know.”

He opened his mouth to continue but wasn’t sure how to ask for what he wanted from the girl he’d abandoned a decade ago.

“I’ve made a lot of bad calls in my life, and after your mom died, that only got worse. I didn’t want you to know the man I’d become. You wouldn’t have liked me very much—or at least that’s what I told myself. I thought I was protecting you, but in the end, you still weren’t safe.”

“It all turned out okay.”

“Did it?”

“Well, you’re in a hospital bed, but besides that, everything is okay.”

“I guess what I want to ask is if there’s any way you can forgive me.”

“Grandma wasn’t exactly nice in describing your absence as I grew up. But she was angry, and I could see that. She wasn’t trying to turn me against you. She just didn’t know how to handle her grief, and I get it. I had my own stuff to deal with, but as far as forgiving you, I don’t think there’s anything that needs forgiving.”

“How are you only fifteen years old?”

She laughed. “It is a bit weird being here right now because you are kind of a stranger.”

“If it’s okay with you, I don’t want to be anymore.”

“It’s more than okay.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. I know I’m late to being a dad, but if you’ll give me a chance, I’d like to take it.”

“I’d like that too.”

“But only at your pace. If I’m getting too smothering or something, say so. I don’t know how to do this father thing.”

“I don’t think any dad does.”

There was a knock at the door, and Trevors stuck his head inside. “Sorry, am I interrupting?”

“Trevors, come in. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? I’d like you to meet someone very important to me.”

“We’ve met,” Trevors said. “It’s good to see you again, Riley.”

“You too. I’ll let you guys talk. But I’ll be right outside.”

Samson watched her walk all the way out.

“Pretty girl,” Trevors said.

“She’s amazing. I hate that I’ve missed so many years. I remember holding her as a baby, and I thought my heart would break. Then, after the accident that killed her mom, it did.”

“You have a second chance. Not many get that.”

“No, and I don’t know how I’ve gotten it.”

“Don’t ask questions, just accept it. I won’t keep you long, but I had to see you with my own eyes.”

“EvenI’mfinding it hard to believe. Were there any other survivors?”

“No. None that they’ve found yet. There have been a few bodies, but there’s no sign of Demir’s yet.”

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