Page 45 of Ask Your Mom If I'm Real

She looked over at our kids, all of which looked like they were struggling.

“What do we do now?” Patty asked.

I had an eye on John, though he stayed on the couch and listened to our dad tell his stories.

“We wait.” I paused. “I think he’s ready to go. It won’t be long.”

Patty sniffled. “He misses Mom.”

My mom and dad had a love greater than anything I’d ever known.

Even with my love for my wife being so strong and all encompassing, I’d never seen a love like Mom and Dad’s.

It was humbling and pure.

The day Mom had died, I’d seen half of my dad’s soul leave with her.

“I’m happy for him,” Susan said softly as her and John joined us after giving up their seat next to Dad to one of our kids.

I looked down at her, as did my brother.

“I am, too,” Patty whispered. “He’s been so unhappy. It’s time for him to have his happiness back.”

Hours later, when it was time to go home, each one of us took our turns giving him a hug goodbye.

I was under no disillusion that this would be my last time to hug my dad.

He’d be leaving tonight.

It was Christmas, after all, and all of his most important things happened during Christmas.

He and Mom got married. I was born on the twenty-fourth. John the twenty-sixth. Annie Christmas, and Patty the day before Christmas Eve.

Hell, even their grandchildren had a lot of birthdays in the month of December.

Mom even died on Christmas.

This was his day.

He was leaving tonight.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” I whispered into his ear.

Dad’s hug was strong, just like it always was.

I hadn’t had near enough of his hugs lately, which shamed me.

Too wrapped up in my life to come see my old man.

I sucked.

“I’m so proud of you, Mark,” he murmured. “Be happy, son. You have been everything that I have ever wanted in this life, and I’m so proud to call you my son.”

The fucking tears welled up in my eyes, despite my insistence for them not to.

“I love you,” I croaked.

Dad kissed the side of my head. “Love you.”

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