re just talking and laughing at our own goofy jokes-those stupid puns he loved so much, the way his eyes crinkl

e who knew him in ways I didn't. It hurt every time I thought about it. My chest felt tight,

s part of the pro

ords, others with the same scripted lines they probably gave at every funeral. "He was a great man." "He'll

never even heard before, men and women who wore expensive suits and smelled of rich cologne. They offered kind words and stron

ct like I had everything figured out an

e to be weak in fron

I th

nd the final prayers whispered, that's when it hit me. Like a freight train crashing into my chest, I realized he w

ther. And suddenly, I wasn't just crying-I was breaking. My shoulders shook as I t

rying not to

unraveling like that. But at the same time... it felt real. It

ods or pats on the back as they passed. I barely noticed them. I was too distrac

e. Time didn't seem to exist. It c

uick hugs from the last stragglers. One of dad's cousins g

ance. My sister, Katie, was waving at me as she climbed into her boyfriend's car

rned to look at dad's

I whispered. "In a place w

ed, but I push

n the next years to come. I'll do my best to make you proud. I

t I held the tears back this time.

ay. I love you, Dad. And I'll

. » I said witho

was a constant presence, a silent protector. I used to find him annoying, always following me around, giving subtle war

ay anything else, and started walking

h. The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, casting golden light t

out a word. I slid into the backseat and settled by

e rumbled

de and pressed it, rolling the wi

ting chill. It tugged at my hair, cooled my skin,

the car, the rustling wind, and the fading ligh

broke th

st want to remind you... as the firstborn son

n. It wasn't even a suggestion. It was a fact.

n the rearview mirror. He didn't look back. His eyes

I replie

e. Then, "I just don'

s voice was low. "Your father believed you were. He saw

ndow again, letting

when I screwed up. Even when I didn'

it was

I didn't know how to be the leader my father

I said quietly. More t

ake him

t nod. "That's al

But this time, it wasn't heavy

but now it didn't just feel like

that I was

that I wou

e, a promise that he

ewh