Chapter 107 A Special Bond
Byron tried to steel his heart against the inevitable pain that spending time with his father would bring. But no matter how he tried, he knew there was no way to avoid the suffering. It was kind of like putting his hand deliberately into a fire, knowing it would scroch him.
Maybe Emily was right, and it was a good thing to be vulnerable. The feelings of nostalgic affection he had for his father couldn’t exist without the pain of abandonment. The memories were too intertwined. He had to accept the good and the bad as an inevitable part of life.
They walked on the beach together, and in some ways it felt as if his dad had never left. They used to have deep talks like this back in the old days, ranging from tractors to the meaning of life.
It was a misty day, with just enough sun filtering through the pale grey clouds.
“The last time I saw you,” Byron said, “when you got mom to loan you that money... Why did you disappear again for so many years? We never heard from you.”
“I thought you might have guessed the reason,” Teddy replied, looking out at the ocean. “I was too ashamed. The whole situation was such a fiasco.”
“And now?” Byron prompted. “Something must have changed.”
“My whole perspective on life has changed,” Teddy said, “Looking back on it, I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get in touch with you again. Family is the most important thing in life, at least to me. And I think of you and your mother as part of my family. Life is short. Doesn’t it make sense to spend time together?”
“Have you asked Sylvia how she feels about that?” Byron asked, somewhat evading a direct response.
Teddy looked wistful for a moment. “We’re not in love anymore, but I’m pretty sure she feels the same way I do, that we share a special bond, having a child together.”
As they walked down the sandy beach, Byron took in the view of the city and its highrises on one side of the bay and the endless expanse of water joining the horizon. He tried to imagine having a child with Emily, and how it would bring them even closer. It was almost scary, the thought of such an intense bond with someone.
“I’m glad you’re here, dad,” he said. “Being a parent is probably harder than I’ve ever imagined, and I know you did the best you could.”
“It must have been hard for you to say that,” his father remarked.
“No, it was very easy,” Byron said, grinning. “Building up the courage to go on this walk with you was hard.”
His dad nodded. “I know. It was hard for me too. I was afraid of all the accusations you could make against me. And I have a lot to make up for.”
“No, the past is in the past,” Byron said. “Let’s focus on the present. I hope to see you again before you leave town.”
“You will.”
“So, how was it?” Emily asked when she returned from yet another fashion show, completely hyper-active and over-excited as seemed to be the norm for Fashion Week.
“It was good,” Byron said, “We had a great talk.”
“I’m so happy for you!” she cried, leaping into his arms.
“God, you’re hyper!” He lifted her up while she wrapped her legs around him, hanging on like a koala.
“Also, I hope you don’t mind, I invited him to our wedding.”
“I don’t mind,” Emily said. “Teddy and I are pals, and if you hadn’t invited him, I would invite him myself.”
He set her down into an armchair. “By the way, we should probably decide on a date for the wedding. How does this fall sound? Or Christmas?”
“This fall... might be too soon,” Emily replied, twirling a piece of her hair between her fingers. “And then Pam might be having her baby around Christmas time, and I wouldn’t want to miss all the excitement.”
“Oh.” Byron was disappointed since he had envisioned getting married soon. “So not any time this year?”
“I know you can’t wait for us to get married,” Emily said cheerily, “but I’m enjoying this whole being engaged phase. We should relish it!”
“Why?” he asked.
“It’s a special time!” she exclaimed, “I’ve never been engaged before, and I’m still basking in the glow.”
“Okay, okay,” Byron said. He could be patient since she actually seemed to like the idea of being engaged to him. “Next year then?”
“I’m thinking next summer,” Emily suggested.
“Why are you making me wait so long, young lady?”
“Because summer is my favorite season,” she said, trying to melt his heart with her cute smile.
“Okay.” Byron’s heart really was melting. If she wanted to get married twenty years from now, he would probably agree to it, as long as he could be sure she really wanted to share the rest of her life with him. “It gives us more time to plan the wedding.”
“Exactly!”
“You’re not having second thoughts about it, are you?” he asked.
“Of course not,” Emily said, a tiny frown flashing across her face, “Why would you say that? I’m very much looking forward to becoming your loving wife!”
