Page 60 of The Problem with Falling
“No!” I said, holding my hand up to pause his advancements. “I don’t want the apology now because you haven’t had enough time to sit on how you’ve made me feel. So well…sit on it. Think about it. And then come to me later on with the apology when you’ve sat in the guilt and suffering. Let that simmer, then come to me when you’re ready to be friends.”
He parted his mouth to speak, but I turned around in my flip-flops and walked away, shaking my butt back and forth as I did.
I didn’t know why, but Molly said a hip-shake exit made for the best apologies.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Willow News Update
Hey Old Man,
Theo and I are on the path of friendship. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’ve gone fishing with him a few times, but I haven’t caught any fish yet. Molly told me I shouldn’t fish with Theo again until he officially apologizes for being grumpy toward me before we built said friendship. I told Theo the same, so I’m not allowed to fish until he apologizes.
It’s been a few days, and I’m still waiting. And now I miss fishing. Who am I nowadays?
Anyway, I love you, Dad.
I’ll see you soon.
-Your Little Bird
PS Don’t worry. I’m okay.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Dad News Update
Little Bird,
What do you mean he has to apologize to you? What the hell did he do? I’ll come kick his ass.
You know, I used to fish with your mom. She loved it, too. I miss those memories. I miss your mom. I miss you. Sorry, I know how hard it is for you to talk about her, but with the approaching week ahead, I can’t help but think about both of you. Gosh, I miss you. Call me on Saturday if you’re up for a talk. Even if you’re not, I can sit on the phone with you and listen.
I love you, Willow.
-Your Old Man
PS I’ll always worry. But I know you’ll be okay.
PSS No, really. I’ll kick his ass.
A few more days passed withoutany fishing or conversation from Theo. When he walked through the house, he’d give me a nod and no words before he went out on his boat for the evening. He’d drive me around town if I needed, but it was clear he took my “no friendship until you apologize” to heart. Unfortunately,the more time that passed, the more I doubted the idea that Theo would apologize.
It appeared he was fine without us having a friendship, and he moved as though he couldn’t care less about building any relationship with me. I didn’t know why, but that hurt me a bit. That was until I came back from spending a Saturday with Molly and Harry and walked into a dimmed house, lit only with fairy lights.
The whole day I tried my best to keep my mind off what date it was. My birthday. Molly and Harry knew of my birthday struggles, and they went out of their way not to wish me a happy birthday. I was grateful for that. All I wanted to do was get through the day without any reminders of my mother or Anna popping up in my mind. I wanted it to be just another Saturday. Nothing more, nothing less.
Though the dimmed house lit with fairy lights told me it was about to be the complete opposite of a normal day.
“Theo?” I called out, confused by the setup. I looked around and saw lights shaped like butterflies, all in different colors wrapped around the arched doorframe leading to the dining room.
“In here,” he replied, the noise coming from the dining room.
The second I stepped into the space, I gasped slightly, seeing even more butterflies and lights filling the space. They dangled from the ceiling, from the cabinets, and wrapped around the tables and chairs. Sitting in the middle of the table was a display filled with even more colorful butterflies. And against the wall? A banner that read, “Happy Birthday, Willow.”
