Page 50 of Because of Dylan

“But then I might laugh and that would be lying, and the one promise I can make you is to always be truthful with my words.”

“I appreciate that.” Funny, being that I lie all the time.

“So?” he prompts me.

“It was … I don’t know. Fate? Divine intervention if you believe such things.” I pull a blanket over my legs. “I saw the flier, and when I checked on the website it was eleven eleven.”

“Ah, and my number is eleven.”

“Yes, but it’s more than that. I tossed a coin too.”

“You tossed a coin?”

“Yes. Got heads three times.”

“I see.” He doesn’t sound like he sees it at all.

“You do?” I challenge him.

“Yes. You left it to fate to decide on who you would talk to.”

“Yes, my past choices haven’t been that great. I figured if I removed myself from the equation, I might have better luck. I think it worked.”

“Well, I’m glad you picked me. I enjoy talking to you.” There’s a hesitation in his voice at the end. Like he didn’t mean to say that last part.

“I enjoy talking to you too. It … it’s easier than I thought.”

A silence falls between us and extends for a few seconds more. I know he’s waiting for me to speak, to tell him why I’m upset. And I’m grateful for the extra time he gives me to get around to it.

“I met my father today.”

He waits a beat before speaking again. “Is that good or bad?”

“I’m not sure. Good, I guess.”

“Go on.”

“I met my father for the first time several weeks ago.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“At first, it enraged me. After all this time, I thought, why come to find me now?”

“Did you ask him that? Why now?”

“Yes. He said it was time.”

“You said when you first met your father you felt enraged. How do you feel about him now?”

“Not enraged. Sad. I’m mourning all the lost time.” I didn’t know that’s what I was feeling until I said the words, but they ring so true the sting of tears comes back to my eyes.

“Despite the fact that he wasn’t in my life this whole time, he’s a good guy.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“I have no idea. He wants me in his life. Today he told me he has a family, wife, kids. I have a brother and sister, and he wants me to meet them.”

“Do you want to meet them?”

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