I have to talk to him, Zachary thought, to find out why he left me behind, although he cared about me so much. It was about time for him to finally have the answer to all the questions he hadn’t dared, or hadn’t wanted to ask.
****
An hour later, when Zachary stepped into the hospital room, Lance was in the company of his employer, whose hands he held between his own. Although his father was calling the other man boss, talking to him in a low, respectful voice, Zachary could almost see the sincere affection between the two of them and wondered if it wasn't more than that.
“Hello, son. You look glorious this morning, so well-rested, the tiredness in your eyes completely gone. I was worried about you the other day, but I thought you wouldn't have appreciated very much if I voiced my concerns.” Lance's cheerful voice had a tinge of melancholy in it as he gazed over his son.
“Well, the recent events proved that I'm not too old for you to watch over me, so I’m definitely not too old to listen to your advice. And good morning to you, too, gentlemen.” Grinning like a mischievous teen, Zachary kissed his father on both cheeks. “Thank you for taking care of him and for being here when he woke up.” He turned to Fabian, dipping his head a little.
“As I said yesterday, this is only a very small part of what your father has done for me over the years. However, now that you are here, it's time for me to go, pick up the boys and take them home. Your friend Rowan is waiting for you to get his hair done. Apparently, Riley adores the change of look.” Shaking Zachary's hand with a discreet smile on his face, Fabian left the room.
“You braided the kid's hair? I remember how much I liked it when you did it to me, back when I was six or seven, before...well, I suppose I shouldn't bring that period into discussion. It won't do you or me any good.” Zachary lowered his head, sighing heavily.
“I think you did the right thing, son. This is a discussion the two of us should have had twenty-five years ago, or even before, but it's not too late for you to find out the truth, even after all this time.”