Chapter 5 - Dad Wanted Credit For Lena
By noon, Dad had changed his story.
He called relatives.
“My daughter’s a general.”
Lena learned about it from Diane.
She was not surprised.
The same man who had mocked her teaching job was now telling people he
always knew she was destined for leadership.
Diane sounded embarrassed.
“He’s proud.”
“He’s proud of the rank.”
“He’s trying.”
Lena softened.
“I know, Mom.”
Trying mattered.
It just did not erase history.
That evening Dad called Lena directly.
“I told Uncle Ray.”
“I heard.”
“He couldn’t believe it.”
“I can.”
Dad ignored that.
“We should have a dinner. A proper one.”
“We just had dinner.”
“That was Melody’s.”
Lena almost laughed.
Twenty-four hours earlier, Dad had told her she used to be going
somewhere.
Now he wanted a celebration.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t need one.”
His voice hardened.
“You’re still angry about Caleb.”
Lena became still.
“No.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m angry about what you said after Caleb died.”
“I was grieving.”
“So was I.”
Dad went silent.
Lena continued.
“You were allowed to grieve badly. I was expected to absorb it quietly.”
“I didn’t mean it.”
“I believe you.”
That surprised him.
“Then why are we still talking about it?”
“Because not meaning something doesn’t make it disappear.”
Dad had no answer.
Before hanging up, Lena said:
“If you want a relationship with me, I’m open to that. But it can’t
start with you bragging about my rank to people you told I was wasting
my life.”
For once, Dad did not argue.
He simply said:
“I’ll think about that.”
It was not an apology.
May you like
But it was the first time Lena remembered him admitting there might be
something to think about.
