37 Times She Chose Him, The Last Time I Let Him Go Chapter 10

37 Times She Chose Him, The Last Time I Let Him Go Chapter 10

Tessa walked in holding my mother’s hand.

When she saw Grant, she paused. But she didn’t flinch or hide.

She just looked at him.

Grant dropped to his knees, eyes red. “Tessa. I’m signing the papers, and then I’ll go.”

She glanced at the agreement on the table. “You’re not my dad anymore?”

“I am.” His throat moved. “I’ll always be. If you want me to be.”

Tessa thought about it.

“Will other people still borrow you?”

Grant’s tears fell. “No.”

She shook her head. “But I don’t want to wait for you now.”

“Then I’ll wait for you.”

“How long?”

“As long as it takes.”

Tessa didn’t answer. She just pushed the torn drawing toward him.

“Here. You keep this.”

Grant’s hands shook. “You don’t want it?”

“My teacher asked me to draw a new one.” Her voice was quiet. “It will have Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, and me.”

Not him.

Grant closed his eyes. Tears splashed onto the blackened hole.

He finished signing.

The house went back to me. Tessa stayed with me.

Grant paid monthly support. Visitation was subject to Tessa’s willingness and her therapist’s recommendation.

He moved into a small apartment. Margaret told me that he showed up at the school gate every week.

When Tessa felt like seeing him, they’d talk for a few minutes. When she didn’t, he left whatever he’d brought with the teacher.

He never demanded she forgive him.

Natalie’s ex-husband secured regular visitation rights. During her court-ordered counseling, she couldn’t block his visits or continue letting Leo call Grant “Dad.”

Natalie sent me one long apology text.

I didn’t reply.

Some apologies aren’t for the person who was hurt. They’re for the person who gives them, so they can sleep at night.

Six months later, Tessa performed in the spring showcase again.

She stood on stage with a glitter star sticker on her cheek.

My parents and I sat in the front row.

When the music ended, Tessa waved at us with both hands.

Grant stood at the back of the auditorium. He hadn’t told anyone he was coming. He didn’t move forward.

After the show, Tessa spotted him from across the room.

She hesitated for a long time. Then she walked over.

Grant crouched and handed her a small bouquet.

“You danced beautifully.”

“You watched the whole thing?”

“Every second.”

Tessa held the flowers. She didn’t call him Dad.

She just said, “Thank you for coming.”

Grant’s eyes turned red, but he smiled. “Always.”

On the way home, Tessa sat on my father’s shoulders, humming the showcase song.

My mother asked what she wanted for dinner.

Tessa raised her hand. “Chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese.”

My father teased, “Can you finish all that?”

“I’m hungry. I danced so hard today.”

They all laughed.

I walked behind them, a cool evening breeze brushing my face.

I realized, at last, that all those long years of waiting had finally come to an end.