When Lacey came home from school, John met her at the door and told her he needed to speak to her. She was curious but also glad because she had been wondering what was going on lately. He hadn't at all been like himself.
"You've probably noticed I haven't been around much lately and I wanted to explain why and tell you how sorry I am," he said frankly.
"You've probably noticed I haven't been around much lately and I wanted to explain why and tell you how sorry I am," he said frankly.
"Good. I was wondering why."
"And I bet you were a little sad, too," he acknowledged. When she nodded, he continued. "You remember I said I was dating a woman named June?"
"Yeah. Is she the reason you've been acting funny, daddy? I was afraid it was because I did something you didn't like."
"No, it wasn't anything you did at all, okay? Do you understand that?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Well, I want you to know that June lied to me about something and it kind of hurt me."
"It hurt your heart."
"Yes, it did. So, see, it wasn't anything you did at all. But I made a big mistake when my heart was hurting. Instead of talking to Aunt Olivia about it, I kind of... I don't know... I took a break, I guess. And I wasn't here for you. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay," she said softly but earnestly.
"No, it's not okay. It was wrong of me. I want you to know that I realize that and I'm going to try my hardest never to let it happen again."
"And I bet you were a little sad, too," he acknowledged. When she nodded, he continued. "You remember I said I was dating a woman named June?"
"Yeah. Is she the reason you've been acting funny, daddy? I was afraid it was because I did something you didn't like."
"No, it wasn't anything you did at all, okay? Do you understand that?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Well, I want you to know that June lied to me about something and it kind of hurt me."
"It hurt your heart."
"Yes, it did. So, see, it wasn't anything you did at all. But I made a big mistake when my heart was hurting. Instead of talking to Aunt Olivia about it, I kind of... I don't know... I took a break, I guess. And I wasn't here for you. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay," she said softly but earnestly.
"No, it's not okay. It was wrong of me. I want you to know that I realize that and I'm going to try my hardest never to let it happen again."