Like The Cool Kids

Chapter 34: A Big Step

       After the amazing fun time we had in Las Vegas, we are back in LA and Carter was feeling very nervous to meet his father this afternoon. Yes, his biological father is coming to visit for two days and though Carter kept in touch with him through phone calls, texts and emails, he was still meeting for the very first time. "Can I ask you something?" He asks, "Sure?" "Would you be up to meeting my biological father with me for the first time?" He asked nervously. "Are you sure?" "I really need you to be next to me when I meet him." "Then of course, I'll be there."

So there we were, standing in the airport waiting for a man that we've only seen in pictures. I can feel Carter's nerves next to me and I don't blame him. He thought he lost both people he considered as his 'father' but now he's meeting his actual biological father. Then I noticed the man, Adam Collins. "I think that's him right there..." I said and Carter immediately looked in the direction I was looking at. The man noticed Carter and smiled. He looked nervous too. As he was approaching us, I noticed that the man could be in his mid 30s so that only means he had Carter when he was young. Or maybe his looks are deceiving. "Carter?" the man in front of us who looked like an older version of Carter asked. Both Carter and I were silent taking in this image of the man in front of us and then I realized Carter in a shock so I said, "Yes, that's Carter and I'm Katharine. Adam Park, right?" He looks at me with a smile and says, "Yes I am." He looks back at Carter and then says, "Wow. You have Eleanor's eyes." Carter slightly smiled then says, "It's nice to finally meet you." I knew in my heart that these two would hit it off just fine.

After we had lunch, Carter excused himself to the restroom leaving Adam and I on our own. "So, Carter told me a lot about you." Adam says with a smile. I looked at him confusedly, "Really?" "Yeah, he kept telling me how great, smart and beautiful you are. And I can see that." I felt my cheeks turn red and shyness come over me. "Oh wow, thank you." "I know I just met you but you sort of remind me of Eleanor." "Carter's mother?" "Yeah..." He said and I noticed the sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss." And he smiles in response.

Carter and Adam were joking around and talking about almost everything. I insisted that I should take a photo of both of them and I did and it totally looked like a father and his son. The next day, Carter and Adam hung out again and Carter was finally told about what happened and why they gave him up for adoption. Adam and Eleanor were only 18 when they had Carter and they did believe in being able to build a life for him. Unfortunately, Eleanor was diagnosed with cancer and died quickly because of it. Adam said that he did not want to give up on Carter but he was depressed and he just couldn't do it and wanted the best for Carter and that's why he gave him up. Adam Park however now is happily married to a beautiful woman and has two young children, an 8-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl. He invited Carter to visit him over the summer and even help him around with his garage business. "So, do you think it's a good idea?" "What?" "The spending the summer with his family..." "Well... I think if you want to, it'll be great to meet your half brother and sister and it'll give you even more time to get to know him in his elements." "So?" "So, how do you feel?" "I really want to go." "Then go." "But how am I going to tell my mother?" "She will be sad but she'll understand..." I said then sigh looking down. "What's wrong?" "Nothing... just... I'm going to miss you." I said looking up into his beautiful eyes and then he smiles, "I'm going to miss you too" He pulled me into a tight hug and I wanted to stay in his arms as long as I can.