Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE WHERE NOBODY OWED ANYONE
My father recovered slowly.
He still needed therapy.
Some days were difficult.
But he was alive.
And he was getting stronger.
Leo visited often.
Not as a powerful benefactor.
As someone who genuinely cared.
One afternoon, I found them arguing over a baseball game.
My father insisted the Yankees were hopeless.
Leo disagreed.
Loudly.
I stood in the doorway laughing.
“What is happening?”
My father pointed at Leo.
“This man knows nothing about baseball.”
Leo looked offended.
“Joseph, I own season tickets.”
My father snorted.
“That doesn't mean you understand the game.”
I laughed harder.
Leo looked at me.
“Are you going to defend me?”
I shook my head.
“Absolutely not.”
He smiled.
Then reached for my hand.
And for the first time, our lives felt wonderfully ordinary.
No debts.
No bargains.
May you like
No secrets.
Just family.
