Surprises...

Dear Nicky,

About an hour ago, I told your grandfather, my father, of your troubles. I could hear the fear and dismay in his voice. He heard the pain in mine, the struggle I was making to say the words. I had dreaded this phone call because I was afraid of how he would take it and how he would react. I was really afraid he'd somehow be mad, that he'd somehow blame us, that I would be a disappointment to him. But instead, instead he reached out to me over the phone, and comforted me, and it the sweetest feeling I've gotten from him in the longest time. He comforted me as any father comforts his child, as I will comfort you when you need me. I told him to take care of himself and my mother, and he told me not to worry about them, that they would be fine, that everything would turn out all right. I asked him to pray, and I hope God heeds those prayers.

Love,
Dad