Page 88 of Bull Riders Don't Swoon

He raises his gaze to mine, and while I wish he’d made better choices, I’m also grateful I never gave up on him.

“Would you let me help you again?”

His lips press into a tight line, and I brace myself for an outburst of anger.

“It’s not easy for me to admit that I need my child to help me out of the spot I’m in.” His voice cracks, and Jamie reaches out to him before I do.

“Your child has helped many people, Charlie.” He takes my dad into a hug like he’s an old friend, and I swallow the growing lump in my throat. “We want to help you.”

Dad releases Jamieson and finds a tissue to dab at his eyes.

“I’m listening.”

“I’m moving in with Jamieson soon.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Even in the middle of all his problems, he still finds a genuine smile for my news, and that’s the bit of Dad I used to know. That’s the dad I want more of. To have him watch the birds and flowers and kids throwing baseballs at the park down the street. To find some of the joy he had when I was small.

“Thanks, Dad. Um…we have a house and there’s a suite in the basement.”

“You’ll have a private entrance,” Jamieson adds.

“We’re renovating it, and we’d like you to move in there.”

My dad stays silent for so long I’m concerned he had a stroke standing up and perhaps forgot to speak. “Dad?”

“You want me to live with you?”

“I’d like you to sell the trailer and have you live here, yes. We’ll make it work with your pension, so it’s not you takingadvantage if that’s a worry. I want to help you through this part, Dad. I miss you, and I don’t want you to be alone.” God, the tears are hot on my face as my dad pulls me to him, probably rougher than he meant to. We both stumble, and Jamie’s hand on my waist stops me from tumbling over.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve a kid as good as you, but right now, I’m thankful you’re mine. I love you, Griffy. Thank you.”

Dad sobs into my shirt as the shuttle pulls up, and then he turns to Jamieson while he wipes at his eyes.

“Thank you. I don’t know what else to say right now because I need to unscramble my head and thoughts.”

“We have lots of time to talk, Charlie. You just take care of yourself first.”

Jamieson steps back and lets me have a private moment with Dad before he leaves.

“Dad…I’ll come by next Sunday and we’ll talk more, but tonight is one of the best nights of my life. Just know that I’m beyond happy to do this and so is Jamieson, okay?”

“Don’t worry about me, Griff. Go enjoy this night. You both deserve it.”

Dad steps away and into the van without prolonging the goodbye, and I’m left watching the taillights disappear for a moment before Jamie’s arms wrap around me from behind.

“Are you up for celebrating, or would you rather just have some quiet time at home?”

“You want to sing, don’t you?” I chuckle.

“More than I think you know.”

“Then let’s go sing.”

twenty-eight

Jamieson

My favourite part after any rodeo is the after-party.

---