Love Isn't Enough (L.I.E)

Ch. 10: Everything She Ever Wanted

*Kourtney & her father, Gary, in the m/m. Excuse the errors and leave my inline comments. Enjoy!*

Kourtney

I rubbed my sweaty palms agains my skirt as I nervously sat in the restaurant, waiting. I was starting to second guess me agreeing to meet up with Gary. It's 11:15 am, so he should be here any minute.

After talking it over with Aug, he finally convinced be to give Gary a chance. A chance to explain himself. I was just afraid of what I might hear. I was afraid of facing the ugly truth about my mother and our past. But I did long for the feeling of having a father. Though he missed out on my entire existence of living, I thought about the possible future of him being there from this point on.

My heart began to speed as I saw the man who claims to be my father, approach the table I was sitting at. He was a very handsome older guy, and I couldn't help but notice the scary resemblance of him and I. I stood up from my chair as he approached me.

"Hello Kourtney." He stretched his arms out for what seemed to be a gesture for a hug. Instead, I extended my hand out for a handshake. He shook my hand, and let out an awkward smile.

"Um..H-Hi Gary." I said, nervously. I tucked my hair behind my ear and hurriedly took my seat again, as he did the same.

"So... How are you?" He asked.

"I've been doing okay. How about you?" I mentally told myself to relax and engage. This is all for a good cause.

"Not too bad. I'm really glad you decided to meet up with me. There's a lot we need to catch up on."

I nodded my head in agreement. "Yea, starting with you. Not to come off too direct, but, where have you been all this time?"

He cleared his throat and took a sip of his water that the waiter brought out to us a few minutes ago. "Well, I've been here in Atlanta." His answer was short and didn't quite answer my question entirely. I stared directly in his face and blinked twice, motioning for him to elaborate a little bit more. I felt my anger brewing, but I held it under control.

He let out a deep sigh, I saw sorrow and hurt in his eyes. "Well, when I met your mother, we were both young. She was a senior in high school and I was getting ready to go away to college on a basket ball scholarship. We fell in love that summer, and things got serious. She was everything to me." He took another sip of his water before he continued, "Before I moved away from Florida to Georgia to go to college, we snuck away and got married. Once I left, she'd come and visit me as much as possible. We kept this up for 2 years, spending every school break and holiday together.

One night before our championship game, she called me crying, confessing that she was pregnant. We both didn't know what to do or how to handle it. She was 19 and I was 20. We were both young and didn't know the first thing about parenthood. That night, we lost our championship game and she blamed it on herself. Saying we lost because my mind was focused on the news she told me earlier that evening. Which was true, in a way."

I picked up a napkin to wipe the tear that escaped my eye, just thinking about how much I missed my mother. Gary grabbed my hands across the table and held onto them, rubbing his thumbs over them. My vulnerability allowed him to comfort me like a father would. He then continued talking.

"The early parts of your mother's pregnancy, things got tough between us. With school and ball, it got rough. I couldn't be there for your mother like I wanted to. I constantly told her that I would give up everything to be with her and you. But she always shut that idea out and told me I need to stay focused on school and ball. When it was time for her to have you, I jumped on the first flight to Florida. I skipped out on class and a game. Your mother was upset but I needed to be there with my wife and my new born child. I made it there in time to welcome you into the world. I was the happiest man alive. I spent as much time I could with you and your mom that weekend, before heading back to Georgia... A-and that was the last time I saw you and your mother."

At this point, I had full blown water works going on. My emotions were all over the place. Unstable, to say the least. "But why?"

"Your mother changed her number on me, and moved to another area. I searched high and low for my wife and daughter. Then out of the blue, during my last year of college, I received a letter with no return label. it was from your mother stating she left me so I can focus on my basketball career and school. Saying some nonsense about you and her holding me back. She also stated in the letter, she will always love me and she hopes one day I forgive her of her decision." His eyes were glossy, a tear threatening to fall.

My heart ached, this was entirely too much for me to handle at the moment. "Why would she do that Gary?" I cried, "How could she be so selfish?"

"It wasn't out of selfishness Kourtney, she did it out of love. I was angry for a very long time. But I forgave her eventually. I knew that God would have his way and I'd see you one day."

I patted my face dry, and let out a loud sigh. "I-I just wish she was here. You know?"

"Yes Kourtney, I wish too. I wish I could rewind time so I could do things differently. And be the best father and husband to you and your mother."

I swallowed hard before nervously saying, "It-It's not too late to be a father."

His eyes lit up, filled with hopefulness. He rose up from his chair, moving toward me. I felt the emotion as well, so I moved closer while extending my arms. He embraced me in his arms, and for the first time in my life I felt whole. I felt an instant fatherly connection with Gary at this very moment.

At this moment, I was getting everything I ever wanted as a girl growing up. Right here in this bistro. Through all the weird stares, smiles, and occasionally cooing of the other customers.

**

For the rest of the day, Gary and I got to know each other a little better. He filled me on his life. Turns out I have a 17 year old younger brother, Christian who just graduated high school and recently got a basketball scholarship at Georgia State. Just like his dad, well.. our dad.

I told Gary about myself. I even told him about August. He found the need to tell me about the birds and the bees... Really? Maybe he was trying to make up for the things he missed out on.

To say today was amazing would be an understatement. I never imagined this in all my life. I was glad I took August's advice to give Gary a chance. Although Gary and I had a great day, I still have that thought way in the back of my head. Like what if he disappears from my life again?

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I know, I know.. This chapter was mad short. But y'all better be thankful y'all got SOMETHING cause I ain't get what I asked for last chapter.

...I still love y'all asses though 😒

Next Chapter: 10 votes, 5 comments... And I ain't playin! 😁

Thanks for the continued love and support! 😘

-Y.Style