how I never understood why. He apologized, said he was sorry, that he knew he had failed. But “sorry” doesn’t erase ten years. As I dropped them off, Sarah thanked me sweetly. She didn’t deserve the consequences of his past. I looked at him and said, “Don’t screw this up like you did with us.” Driving away,
I felt a weight lift. I didn’t need his love anymore—I had my mother’s, and that was more than enough. A text from her popped up: “Everything okay, honey?” “On my way. I love you.” In that moment, I realized: you don’t always get the family you deserve—but if you’re lucky, you get to build one that’s even better.