Never Too Late

Chapter Sixteen

"Now, put it into park," Johan's dad, Jacob, gestured as he directed his son from the passenger seat of his car. Johan followed his instruction diligently but was met with difficulty when trying to execute it.

He had spent the evening teaching his son how to drive as he had for the past days and although he was slowly improving, he had a lot of work to do.

"Okay Johan, that's enough for today." He said before switching seats with his son. "I'll take it from here."

Johan sighed as he drove them back home but Jacob could see that he was satisfied with his progress.

"You'll be ready to get your driver's license in a few months, and then you'll be able to take your car anywhere you want," Jacob said, hoping that this would make his son happy.

Johan sat quietly and nodded, a thin smile curving the corners of his lips as he gazed out the window. Jacob knew his son was the silent type but he hoped he would have the chance to understand him more. Deep in his mind, he wondered how Johan felt about him as a whole; he wondered if he was just as bitter as he was about the years he lost with him. When he became a father, it was the happiest feeling in the world and although he was a man of few words, he found himself unable to stop talking about his boys. After the accident, he couldn't bring himself to accept that Johan was gone, so he bottled his emotions for many years, rarely ever mentioning him but never forgetting.

Jacob told himself he wanted to be the best father he could for Luke and Rachel but he could never forget how he failed Johan. It didn't matter how much his wife told him it wasn't his fault, he grieved silently every year on his sons birthday until a miracle finally happened. He was reunited with his lost son again and the happiness he felt was beyond words. Although he couldn't get those years back, he wanted to do everything he could for Johan that was possible.

When they finally made it home, he and Johan sat in the living room while his wife, who was making dinner, inquired about their evening.

"Johan's improving a lot, he's a fast learner." He told her while looking over at his son who seemed reticent from all the praise.

In actuality, he was more happy about simply getting the chance to spend more time with Johan, which was already difficult with his busy work schedule. He might not have been able to teach him to ride a bike or reach other milestones, but hopefully, teaching him to drive could make up for it.

"That's wonderful!" She remarked to Jacob before going over to Johan. "I've been meaning to ask you, what colors do you particularly like?" She said excitedly anticipating his response.

Furrowing his brows, Johan looked at her confused. "Why?"

"I was thinking it's time to decorate your room. It's not a guest room anymore, and it could use a new coat of paint to light it up!" His mother said, still smiling.

"I don't think that's necessary, I'm fine with the room as it is." Johan objected, but Jacob was already nodding his head in agreement with his wife as they began discussing changes they could make; just then, Rachel entered the room and stole his attention for a moment.

"Dad, can I speak with you for a minute?" She said softly, her voice coated with concern as her eyes drifted from him to Johan.

Sensing that something was wrong, he followed her to another part of the house in hopes of figuring out what was bothering her.

"What's the matter, Rachel?" He took the initiative and asked.

"Dad, I know you and Mom care about Johan a lot, but you have to stop babying him." She said with a voice full of maturity for her young age of fifteen.

"What do you mean?" He asked, confused, but Rachel continued.

"Since Johan has been here, you guys have been smothering him and barely listening to anything he has to say," Rachel said, crossing her arms.

"What?" Jacob remarked, confused, but Rachel stood her ground.

"You and mom aren't giving him a chance to choose what he wants for himself and you make decisions for him without even asking." She said shaking her head.

"That can't be true; I haven't heard Johan complain about anything," Jacob defended, but his daughter disagreed.

"That's because you rarely give him a chance to speak, and when he does, you guys don't listen." She said sighing. "I understand that you and Mom just want to help him, but the best thing you can do is give him some space."

Jacob looked at his daughter, both in shock and pride at how wise her words were. The more he thought about it, the more he realized she was right. He hadn't learned anything about Johan since he began living with them and he had based all his assumptions about him on the things his brother liked and did.

"Did Johan say something to you?" He asked after pondering for a moment.

"No, but he doesn't have to." She said smiling.

Once he returned to the living room, he noticed how dejected Johan looked as his wife detailed plans to completely remodel his room.

"Hanna, I think we should let him keep the room however he wants it." He reasoned with his wife who seemed surprised by his shift in tone.

"Really? I'm sure it would look nicer if we redecorated." She offered but he shook his head.

"Let Johan decide what he wants when he's ready." He said looking over at his son.

"Oh, alright," She agreed, but Johan spoke up.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind if the room was painted just for now." He confessed.

"Of course, we'll do whatever makes you comfortable," Jacob told him and he saw Johan smile a little.