Then his voice became more serious.
“Your mother may struggle to let go after I’m gone. Be patient with her, sweetheart. But don’t let grief convince you that loving someone means staying silent.”
I began crying.
Then Dad mentioned Gabriel.
“And please don’t judge your mother too harshly for feeding a boy who has nowhere else to go. Families survive difficult times because people help one another. Even a small meal can mean the world to someone who’s hungry.”
I lowered my head onto the table.
Dad had understood what might happen.
He’d known Mom would continue helping Gabriel.
And he’d wanted me to understand why.
But the recordings also reminded me of what I’d lost.
I looked at Gabriel.
“You still should have given these to me.”
He nodded.
“Yes. I should have.”
We spent the rest of that evening listening.
Dad talked about work, family, money, mistakes, and the little things that made ordinary life worthwhile.
