Parents.. with different treatment

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Colby sat there in silence, Sam's words hanging heavy in the air. He didn't speak, but Sam could see the hint of regret flickering in his eyes. It was as if he were wrestling with emotions he didn't want to face — guilt, shame, maybe even a lingering frustration he hadn't managed to release. But Sam had known Colby for long enough to see that, despite everything, his friend was listening.

After a while, Colby broke the silence, his voice quieter and more vulnerable than Sam had ever heard it. "You know, Sam... it's not just him that's fragile. I feel like I am, too. I don't even know if I'm doing anything right as a dad. I feel like I'm failing him every day."

Sam's heart ached as he watched Colby, seeing the walls come down for the first time in a long time. "Being a parent is hard, man. No one's perfect at it," Sam replied, his voice steady and compassionate. "But the worst thing you can do for Xander — or for yourself — is to give up before you even try. I know he seems different, but that doesn't mean he can't feel how much it hurts to not have his dad's support."

Colby swallowed, nodding slowly. "I just... I feel like I don't know him. Like there's this wall between us, and I don't even know where to start."

Sam gave his friend a gentle, encouraging look. "You start small. Just talk to him. Spend some time with him. Show him that he matters to you, even in little ways. Xander doesn't need you to be perfect; he just needs you to try. He needs to know he's safe with you."

Colby took a deep breath, looking off into the distance as he considered Sam's words. "I don't know if he'll ever forgive me," he muttered, almost to himself.

Sam reached out, gripping Colby's shoulder reassuringly. "Kids are more forgiving than we think. But the sooner you start showing him that he matters, the sooner he'll start believing it. You can be the dad he needs, Colby. I know you can."

For the first time, Colby seemed to soften, his tough exterior crumbling a bit. "Thanks, Sam," he said quietly, nodding. "I'll... I'll try."

Just then, Valerie appeared in the doorway, giving them a small, hopeful smile as she held Xander by the hand. Xander looked hesitant, his gaze flickering nervously to Colby, unsure of what to expect. Valerie leaned down, whispering something soft and encouraging to Xander before guiding him toward his father.

Colby looked at Xander, his face etched with uncertainty but also determination. He knelt down, bringing himself to his son's eye level. For a moment, they just looked at each other, Colby unsure of what to say, and Xander unsure of what he wanted to hear.

"Hey, buddy," Colby began, his voice softer than Xander had ever heard it. "Can we... go for a walk? Just you and me?"

Xander blinked, surprised, glancing up at Valerie and then at Sam, who both gave him nods of encouragement. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his small hand slipping tentatively into Colby's.

As they walked down the quiet street together, Colby struggled to find the words, his mind racing. He wanted to tell Xander everything — to apologize, to make up for all the hurt he'd caused. But he knew that actions would speak louder than words, and for now, he'd have to start with just one step at a time.

"So, Xander," Colby began, his voice gentle, "what's your favorite thing to do at the park? I saw you laughing a lot with Uncle Sam today."

Xander looked up, his expression slowly brightening at his dad's question. "I like the swings," he whispered, his voice shy but a bit more hopeful. "They make me feel like I'm flying."

Colby smiled, nodding. "Flying, huh? Maybe next time, I can give you a push. How does that sound?"

Xander's eyes lit up, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah... that sounds good," he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

And in that moment, Colby felt something shift, as if a weight had lifted from his chest. It was a small step, maybe even tiny, but it was a start. And for the first time, he felt like he could find his way back to Xander — and maybe, just maybe, show his son that he truly mattered.

From a distance, Sam and Valerie watched as Colby and Xander walked down the street, their silhouettes slowly fading into the evening light. Valerie wrapped an arm around Sam, her expression filled with gratitude and hope.

"He's trying," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Finally, he's trying."

Sam nodded, his own heart feeling lighter. "Yeah. He'll get there. One step at a time."