“Haley…”
“Little one…”
They both start to speak.
Holding my finger up to stop both of them, I finish.
“I don’t want to go into all the details of that with my father sitting right here, but you both need to get that I’m going to be where I want to be. Father, you need to understand that William fills a part of me that I knew was missing. A part of me that I knew was different and craved a different life than most. You should be happy I found someone who can give me what I need without taking advantage of me. I’m smart enough to know I’m naïve about a lot of things, and I know William will guide me. Everyone knows William loves me, he has done so forever. Our love for each other has just changed. As for you, William, you’re lucky because it just so happens that this is where I want to be. So I don’t see much of a point in you two talking out my future. That being said, I think I’ll take my now-cold breakfast and go eat it in the kitchen.”
Six
WILLIAM
I take a deep breath and allow Haley to leave the room without incident. I need to speak to Roger alone anyway. I’m just not very excited about it.
“Rog—”
He holds up his hand and interrupts me. I know that this is an important moment in our friendship, and I need to stand down.
“How long has this been going on?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“I never touched her until after her eighteenth birthday. Yesterday, to be exact.”
“But you wanted to touch her before then.”
It isn’t a question. He’s stating something we both know, but he needs to hear me say it.
“Roger, I’ve loved Haley from the first moment I saw her as a baby. When Susan passed away I knew I would always be there for you both. You’re a brother to me. I would never take advantage of your trust, or take advantage of her. Come on, man, you know me better than that.”
“I thought I knew you. I walk into…into…I don’t know what the fuck this is! But I’m blindsided. Imagine being in my position. I love you like my own family, but that’s my daughter. She’s a child!”
I take another deep breath to calm myself. I need him to accept this.
“I know this is all hard to take, but you know me. You know the life I live. I’m not some predator looking for a child bride. I love Haley. The feelings I’ve had for her have changed as we’ve both grown. You of all people should know I don’t take love lightly. I don’t do relationships. Think about it, when was the last time you saw me with a woman? When was the last time you even heard me talk about a woman? I’ve waited my whole life for her. Even if this is the end of our friendship, I want you to know that it won’t be the end of Haley and me. I will always love and protect her. She will always be my priority. I want you in our lives, and I want us to be okay.”
He stares at me as if he’s trying to make a decision.
“Roger, you want her to grow up and be an adult, but I know she’ll always be your daughter. She’s young, and she’s naïve, but I would never take advantage of her. I want for her what you want for her. Only, I want to be the one she depends on for the rest of her life. I think we both know Haley well enough to know that she’s wanted this far longer than I have.”
He gives me another glare across the table.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he huffs.
“You know exactly what I mean. She made it perfectly clear to anyone who would listen how she felt about me. For years.”
“It was a joke.”
“Roger. Search your heart. You know her. You know me. This isn’t changing. I just want your blessing. I want to know that when she’s ready and I ask her to marry me, that you won’t step in. I’m bound to her in my heart for the rest of my life, and I want you to be a part of our lives.”
He continues to glare at me, but slowly starts to nod his head. I see the moment when he accepts what he heard as the truth. He may not like the way things are, but he seems to have made a decision.
“This will take time to get used to. But I trust you and I trust Haley.”
I nod my head, and he moves to go to the kitchen. Just before he walks out of the room, he turns and looks back at me. For some unknown reason his eyes are full of sadness.
“Susan always loved you like a brother. I can’t help but think if she were still alive she would be honored to have you take care of our daughter.”
With those words he heads to the kitchen. From where I stand, I see him hug Haley goodbye. They embrace for a few moments and I see him whisper something in her ear. When they step back, Haley wipes her eyes and Roger gives me a curt nod on his way out the door.
Haley comes running to me and wraps her arms around my waist. I understand what she needs and hold her to me. She sniffles a few times as I make shushing noises and rub circles on her back. I don’t ask her what her father said because it was for her ears only. I imagine she must be emotionally overwhelmed from all that’s happened this morning.
“You okay, little one?”
I put my hands on either side of her face and tilt her head back to see her watery eyes.
“Yes, Daddy. I’m just so happy.”
That brings a smile to my face. Sweet, innocent Haley.