Chapter 9 - The Father Elias Chose
On Elias’s third birthday, Robert arrived early at Scarlet’s home carrying balloons, cupcakes, and a small bicycle with training wheels.
Elias ran to the door.
“Robert!”
Robert crouched down.
“Happy birthday, buddy.”
Elias threw his arms around Robert’s neck.
Then, without warning, he said, “Daddy.”
Robert froze.
Scarlet stood behind him, holding a plate of cupcakes.
The room became quiet.
Elias pulled back.
“Daddy sad?”
Robert swallowed hard.
“No,” he whispered. “Daddy is happy.”
Elias smiled.
“Okay.”
Then he ran toward the bicycle.
Robert looked at Scarlet.
She wiped tears from her face quickly.
“I did not tell him to say that,” she said.
“I know.”
“He has been asking questions.”
“I know.”
Scarlet stepped closer.
“I told him he could call you whatever felt right.”
Robert looked at his son.
For three years, he had believed success was measured by numbers, markets, and growth.
Now the greatest thing anyone had ever given him was a single word from a little boy standing beside a red bicycle.
Daddy.
Robert did not ask Scarlet for anything that day.
He helped Elias ride the bike.
He held the seat while Elias pedaled.
May you like
He ran beside him down the sidewalk until Elias shouted, “I do it!”
And Robert let go.
