Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

53. Like Father, Like Son

53

like father, like son

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | March 11, 2024

From the moment we got in the car, my dad’s been chatty and it’s very strange. He asked if he could put on some music for the ride, which was also odd and based on his selections, I can tell he’s been taking recommendations from Henry. He insists we take the scenic routes and while I’d like nothing more than to get back home, I’m enjoying this side of my dad, so I agree we can take our time.

“I wanted to talk to you about something, aduel.”

I inhale deeply to prepare myself and shake my head.

“I knew something was wrong with eomma.”

“I told you there’s nothing wrong with either of us. I meant that. We’re in good health.”

“Then what do you want to talk about?”

My dad and I don’t have tough conversations. We’re avoidant, whereas Henry is the complete opposite and lets nothing linger.

“Aileen.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter and sigh. I’d like to be respectful, but I’d much rather pull over and walk away because this feels like a trap.

“I’d rather not, especially not today,” I respond, my tone firm.

“I’ve been quiet enough. I need you to listen.”

“Fine.”

I glance at Cliff in the rearview mirror, who’s sticking his head out the window and making the best of this beautiful weather today.

I’d love to stick my head out of the window right now, too, Bud.

“I know our relationship shifted once I expressed how strongly I was against you marrying Aileen. Your mother agreed with me and while you forgave her, things between us were never the same. I’d like to fix that, and we’ll need to talk about it. You’re a lot like me when it comes to talking about the hard stuff, we choose not to because it’s easier.”

I’m annoyed that he made that comparison, even more so that it’s accurate. No matter how much we say we don’t want to end up like our parents, we often do. If this conversation gives me a chance to avert that, then I’m game.

“Okay, let’s talk about it. Why were you so against me marrying her?”

“We never supported you marrying Aileen because we knew what a marriage looked like with two people who were willing to fight for it to work against all odds. There was only one person in that relationship willing to put in that effort and it was you. That’s how we raised you. You’re not a quitter and you’ll learn everything you can about something to achieve it. Just like when you were a kid, taking computers apart and putting them back together,” he chuckles to himself.

I don’t know what I expected him to say, but it wasn’t that. I’m not sure how to respond so I keep my focus on the road and nod my head.

When he doesn’t continue, I glance over at him, and he’s staring out the window .

“Appa?”

He sighs, “Your eomma and I faced so many challenges, but we fought hard because we both wanted this. You should know we struggled with fertility for a long time, between you and Henry. We had a few miscarriages when you were little and they really affected our marriage. We just wanted a family; it didn’t have to be a big one. Your mom and I agreed that you should have a sibling. So, we kept trying and it was really scary, aduel.”

I hear the emotion in his voice, I peer over at him and he’s taking deep breaths. I’ve never seen him this way.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.”

He ignores my comment and continues, “I wasn’t sure how to fight this with her. She became very depressed and every time we weren’t successful, I felt like I lost a piece of her. It got to a point where we were desperate for help and met with a bunch of doctors before we found one that agreed to help us. We tried IVF. It took a while before it worked, but we got Henry.”

He chokes up and takes a moment to collect himself. I reach out my hand for him and he takes it. I breathe through the emotions building in my throat and keep driving. We’re almost to the ice cream shop, which is just what we’ll need after this conversation.

“Your mom still struggles with depression and that’s what I meant when I said she’s been sad lately and I wanted to cheer her up with our visit today. She goes to therapy and is being treated for it now, but it took a lot for her to get here. You know how our culture views mental health. It was difficult for me to understand, but we reached a dead end and I was open to anything. She needed me to fight for her on the days she wasn’t strong enough. That's what a partner does. You didn’t have that type of relationship with Aileen and you know it.”

He looks at me expectantly and I nod.

“You’re right. She was not a partner, at least not after we got married. As for mom, I never knew. ”

“She was great at hiding it from you both. I didn’t like it. Especially as you grew up, but what she says goes.”

I pull into the lot of the ice cream shop and we go through the drive-thru, grabbing milkshakes for us and a vanilla cone for Clifford that he inhales when I give it to him. Dad let me know there’s more he wanted to discuss, but the heavier stuff is out of the way now. He hasn’t brought up Selah yet, but I’m waiting on it.

“You know, after everything your mother and I endured, we understood there were more important things than our children getting married and having children of their own. So, after you got your diploma and told us you were getting married, it surprised us because you hadn’t even lived yet. We really hoped that you would just wait, but you eloped.”

I snort, “Well, part of growing up is doing the opposite of what your parents tell you to do.”

“I wish we knew that ten years ago.”

We’re cackling together and it feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I can imagine he feels it too. I hate knowing that he’s been holding onto that for so long.

“Our parents didn’t know about our fertility issues, and we didn’t feel comfortable telling them because they would’ve suggested herbal medicine. We tried that and needed more help. IVF was still new, and we were nervous. Infertility changed your eomma and I, but we got our boys. I know we were hard on you, but we just wanted you and your brother to have a good life. I hope that you’re truly happy and don’t resent us. Are you happy, Greyson?”

I take a moment to consider before answering.

This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.

“Yeah, I am.”

“That’s all I ever wanted for you. I love you, aduel.”

I can’t remember the last time he said that to me, and I cherish it.

“I love you too, Appa.”

When we get to the dog park, I give Clifford water and once we hit the grass, he takes off to make new friends. Dad and I find a nice place to sit in the shade with our milkshakes and watch him play. Dad shocks me when he suggests he and mom should get a dog, preferably one that doesn’t shed. I always assumed they didn’t like them because they didn’t let us have one growing up. He shares that they love Cliff, and they always loved dogs, but with everything they were facing over the years, it would’ve been more responsibility. I mention that mom could talk it over in therapy, but an emotional support animal might be good for her. We talk about Clifford and how helpful he was for me, while he isn’t an ESA, he saved my life and I’m grateful for him.

We discuss therapy more in depth and I learn a lot about how it’s been helpful for my mom and their marriage.

“Do you go to therapy?” he asks.

“No, I should though. I’m considering it after hearing that mom goes.”

“Well, I go. That’s the only way she’d agree to it,” he says with a chortle.

That surprises me, but I’m proud of him. I won’t say it out loud because I don’t want him to be embarrassed.

“Eomma is clever. I should’ve known something was up when you started talking. This is by far the most you’ve spoken to me in thirty-two years.”

We burst into laughter.

“So, about that pretty woman in your apartment. She looked awfully cozy to be your neighbor .” He makes air quotes around the word neighbor.

“Appa, don’t start. ”

He gives me a side eye over his glasses. “I’m starting.”

I let out a deep sigh because I knew it was coming.

“Does she know how you feel?”

“No,” I sigh.

“I had a feeling. I never stopped looking at your eomma like that.”

I’m taken aback by that and I’m not sure where he got that assumption after being around us for a few minutes.

“How do I look at her?”

“Like if you blink, she’ll disappear. You look at her like you’ve found the peace you’ve been looking for all this time.”

My eyes well up and I try to blink the emotion away. I put my face in my hands, trying to avoid crying in front of him.

“It’s okay, aduel.” He leans forward, patting my back.

“How do you know I’ve been looking for peace?” My voice cracks.

“Well, you don’t talk to me, so I find things out from your eomma.”

I scoff, wiping my eyes on my sleeves.

“I should’ve known nothing stays between us.”

He chuckles, “She can keep a secret, but she’s always going to tell me. Especially when it involves you and your brother.”

“I guess that’s fair.” I search for Clifford, and I find him running around with a poodle and a pug. My dad speaks and regains my attention.

“Since we’re being honest, she said she saw you kissing your neighbor.”

I exhale, “When did she say this?”

“She texted me after we left,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Of course she did,” I chuckle.

“Aileen sent us an invitation to her wedding. We’re sending money but your mom and I aren’t going. Henry is though. Are you?”

“Yeah. Selah’s my plus one.”

He perks up with a playful grin. “Now I wish I was going.”

“Who knew you were a fan of drama?”

“It’s your eomma and those novels. Whenever she finishes one, she comes and tells me all about it. Keeps me entertained, it’s better than her dramas.”

“Why don’t you read them with her? I do it with Selah. That’s actually how I got her attention.”

“I may have to take your advice. You know, I read this article not too long ago that said you are a modern-day matchmaker.”

“I’d say that’s a stretch, but it sounds good.”

“I loved it and got it framed for my office. I’m proud of you, son.”

My heart warms at those words I’ve always wanted to hear from him.

“Thank you.”

His phone trills, he picks it up and says, “It’s your mom.” He holds up a finger and steps away to answer the call. He returns moments later, finishing his milkshake and tossing the empty cup in the nearby trash.

“Are you ready to get back and see what they cooked?”

“Absolutely.”

We’re on our way back to my place. Clifford is sprawled out along the backseat and will be asleep soon. Dad and I are laughing and talking the whole way home and it feels natural. Henry isn’t going to believe me when I tell him about us spending time together without any awkward silence.

I pull into the parking garage, and Dad reminds me, “Don’t tell your mother about the ice cream. She won’t care that it would’ve melted by the time we got back. Eating sweets without her is considered betrayal.”

“You have my word.”