“He was scared when he was young. He listened to his parents instead of making his own decision.”
Lucas waited.
“But later, he had choices of his own, and he still stayed away.”
“Did Mom want him to stay?”
“She wanted him to choose you for himself.”
“Did he?”
I forced myself not to soften the truth.
“Not when he should have.”
Lucas stared at the photo.
“Do you hate him?”
“I did before I knew who he was.”
“And now?”
“I understand him better.”
I paused.
“That isn’t the
