When my son mentioned his school\u2019s Father\u2019s Day event, I smiled through the ache\u2014his dad\u2019s been gone three years. But the next day, his teacher called to thank me for my husband\u2019s \u201camazing presentation.\u201d I froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next morning, when Tyler came home from school, I asked gently, \u201cMs. Bell said your dad gave a great talk.\u201d
He went pale. \u201cI\u2026 don\u2019t want to talk about it,\u201d he muttered and disappeared inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That night, I called the teacher and asked her to have my \u201chusband\u201d visit again the next morning. I needed to know who had shown up pretending to be Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I arrived at the school, my heart nearly stopped. Standing beside Tyler was Tom\u2019s younger brother, Wes \u2014 same eyes, same gentle voice. Tyler was holding his hand, smiling like he hadn\u2019t in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside afterward, I confronted Wes. \u201cYou want to tell me what that was?\u201d
He looked down. \u201cTyler called me. He didn\u2019t want to be the only kid without a dad there. I didn\u2019t say I was Tom. I just\u2026 didn\u2019t correct anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked at my son through the car window, tracing shapes on the glass, happy and at peace for the first time in a long while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My voice softened. \u201cHe\u2019s not ready, is he?\u201d
Wes shook his head. \u201cNo. But he\u2019s trying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And for the first time, I realized maybe we both wer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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