It was not in the plan

Chapter 24: Epilouge

I sat at the coffee shop, twiddling my thumbs awkwardly. I glanced at my phone, checking the time for the fourth time.
The restaurant was the same one Henry and I went to on our first "date"
I sighed, glancing up as another waiter approached the table. "Hi mam"
"Hi, uh can get another water with lemon please" I asked. If he didn't arrive in another thirty minutes I was leaving.
The waiter nodded and walked away,
I bit my lip nervously, about to grab my phone to check the time again when he finally came.
His familiar green emerald eyes, his brown wavy hair overgrown with slight grey hairs , his face was clean shaven and he wore a shirt that looked freshly ironed.
"Hello" Henry's father said carefully. It had been a few years since I had seen Henry's father, the last time I had seen him was at the funeral.
Which was a total of six years ago. A lot had changed since then.
"Thank you for finally meeting me" he said giving me a small smile.
I nodded, Henry's dad had changed a lot, it saddened me that it took his sons death to make him realize that he needed to turn things around in his life. He was in his late fifties now, still working to catch up on everything he had missed out on.

He sat down, I could tell he was nervous by the way he pulled a hand through his hair repeatedly and he tapped his shoe.

"I know it's been a long time... I'm sorry to take you back." He started. "I've been in rehab for three years."

I tried not to react, the thought: now you choose to get better, echoes in my head but I refuse to say it. I promised myself and Scarlet I would be nice - or I would try to.

"That's good" I say carefully, willing him to continue. The waitress comes, she eyes me and Henry's father with disgust.

"What can I get you two" she asks.

"I'm fine" I say harshly, and Henry's father asks for water.

The waitress let out a soft scoff and shook her head disapprovingly before she walked away.

I didn't bother entertaining whatever she thought was happening here. "Continue"

"Um, I just need some closure I guess" he says. "With my brother and former" Henry's father takes a deep breath. "Former partner married now, I guess it rang a bell"

"You weren't there when she needed you most" I said.

"I know, and I've come to terms with that. She deserves better" he says carefully "especially after Henry's death. "I tried to speak to them but they refuse to talk to me - which is understandable. I need to move on with my life - I've woken up feeling guilty, and filled with self blame every single day since the funeral"

"You should feel guilty though" I said wincing at how harsh I sounded. " Henry really needed you, he missed you."

He sighed "this would be easier to handle with drugs - it was my escape. I loved him too and seeing him suffering killed me. I should've been there, I did the worst possible thing, I was selfish and I regret it. But it's been six years now, I've had my moments of self hate, my moment of immaturity and selfishness. I know it's late but it's time to mature."

I didn't know how to respond, so I kept quiet. Henry's father had getting hair. He's eyes were forest green. He looked so sad and for some reason it pained me.

"These three years have been the longest of my life and I didn't think I would make it- i didn't think I would ever be here" he let out a short laugh "as if self destruction with drugs weren't enough. I tried to end it all, I would've... but then I met someone"

He looked up at me carefully for a second before continuing "she helped me, brought me to the Lord - She's given me a will to carry on. And I... I love her and I want to pursue a future with her"