Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO STAY
Michael Morrison continued treatment and counseling.
He attended supervised visits with Wyatt.
Some went well.
Others ended in tears.
Wyatt remained cautious.
Sometimes angry.
Sometimes hopeful.
Harold supported him.
So did Jackson.
One afternoon, Michael approached Jackson outside the cabin.
He looked nervous.
“Mr. Kesler?”
Jackson turned.
“Yes?”
Michael swallowed.
“I wanted to thank you.”
Jackson frowned.
“For what?”
“For helping my son.”
Jackson looked toward the porch.
Wyatt was throwing a ball for Titan.
“I didn't do much,” Jackson said.
Michael shook his head.
“You stayed.”
The words struck Jackson harder than expected.
Michael continued.
“I know I failed him.”
Jackson nodded.
“Yes.”
Michael looked down.
“I'm trying to make it right.”
Jackson studied him.
“Then keep showing up.”
Michael nodded.
Jackson continued.
“Don't make promises you can't keep. Don't ask him to hurry. Let him decide when he's ready.”
Michael swallowed.
“I will.”
For a moment, the two men stood quietly.
One had abandoned his son.
The other had spent years abandoning his conscience.
Both were trying to become better.
That evening, Wyatt asked Jackson a question.
“Do you think Dad can change?”
Jackson smiled faintly.
“I hope so.”
Wyatt looked at him.
“You did.”
Jackson swallowed.
The boy continued.
“You used to be scary.”
Jackson laughed softly.
“Apparently.”
Wyatt grinned.
“Now you're just bad at fishing.”
May you like
Jackson laughed.
And for the first time in his life, being ordinary felt like the greatest compliment in the world.
