The Hourglass

Fifty-Three

It's Thursday, and I still haven't heard from Adam. I was just arriving at Dad's for dinner, bracing myself because I still hadn't spoken to him. I open the front door slowly. Dad turns and sees only me approaching. I can see he's worried. 

"No Adam tonight?" he asks. I shrug. 

"Did something happen between you two?" he questions right away. "He never showed up for golf last Saturday, and I haven't heard from him." 

"I think we broke up," I admit as I slump into the chair at the kitchen table. Dad continues cooking Alfredo at the stove. The aroma of the homemade bread and Alfredo comforts me, and I'm glad I've come home. 

"What do you mean you think?" he asks, not turning around to face me. 

"Well, we got into an argument on Monday, and I still haven't heard from him despite reaching out to apologize." 

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks. 

"No, but don't blame Adam. This was my fault," I assure him. The last thing I want is for my dad to think less of Adam. He hadn't done anything wrong. He and my dad have a good relationship - or at least they did. And if there was even a slight chance that Adam would start talking to me again, I didn't want to risk my dad hating him. 

Dad finishes cooking dinner and brings everything to the table. He says grace for us before saying anything. "Sometimes we make mistakes, Rosebud. If you've done the right thing and apologized to Adam, that's all you can do. It's up to him whether he forgives you or not." 

I try not to cry at my dad's words. Even when I was in the wrong he was still there for me, offering me comfort and words of wisdom. I truly didn't deserve him. I felt bad that Adam wasn't going to go golfing with him anymore, but I guess like dad says - that's his choice. Not that I blamed him for making it. 

If our roles had been reversed, I would have been incredibly hurt, too. But I also would like to believe that it was possible for Adam to love me despite the situation. Dad tries to distract me by talking about golf, work, and the church. I do my best to pay attention and nod, but it must not be very convincing. 

"You love him," he says - seemingly out of nowhere. I blink in surprise. 

"What?" I ask, embarrassed. Even though Adam and I had been telling each other that, we hadn't said it in front of my dad before. I felt it was too soon and wanted to keep it between us. 

Dad gives me a sympathetic smile. "It's okay, Rosebud. It's been obvious to me for a while. And I believe he loves you, too," he adds. "That's why I don't want you to worry. Whatever happened will blow over eventually. Adam just needs time," he assures me. 

"Thanks, Dad." He stands up and gives me a hug before he begins to clear the table.