Page 58 of A Chance Fall

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. To have thousands of dollars off of her back, it was a miracle she didn't deserve.

"Why?" she asked, still in shock.

Her father took a deep breath. "Because I know how hard it is to be afraid of money. And I know I haven't always been there for you, but I wanted to do something to help. It doesn't make up for what I've done. I'm still a screw up and I know that. But I knew it was the right thing to do."

April felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe her father was trying to make amends for all the times he had let her down.

She took a sip of her tea, her mind racing. She had so many questions for him, but she didn't want to scare him off. She knew how easily he could slip away and disappear.

"Thank you," April said quietly, still in shock.

Richard nodded, a small smile on his face. "You're welcome."

She looked at him with new eyes, no longer seeing just the man who had abandoned her time and time again, but also the man who had the capacity for kindness and generosity.

He was right, it didn't make up for everything he'd done. But it was a start. It was proof that her father could do the right thing if given enough chances.

As they finished their drinks, April knew that this moment wouldn't last forever. Her father would leave again, and she would be left to pick up the pieces. But for now, she would savor this moment and hold onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, her father would continue to try to make things right.

April sat there, unsure of what to say next. She wanted to ask him so many questions about his life, what he had been doing, where he had been. But she didn't want to push him away. She would say anything to make this moment last a lifetime.

"I have to go," Richard said, standing up from the table. "My flight is boarding soon."

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. After some thought, she took a deep breath and said, "I forgive you."

Richard's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"I want you to know that I forgive you for taking advantage of me and all of the requests at the bed and breakfast. I forgive you. I can't hold onto that anger anymore."

It felt good for the words to fall from her lips. It was the first time she said it to her father. The simple idea of letting go of what he'd done made her chest feel lighter.

April continued, "You've made a lot of mistakes. You've hurt me more times than I can count. But this trip? The trip to the island where you asked for firmer pillows and I blamed you for stealing. This trip I forgive you for."

Richard's eyes glistened with tears as he reached across the table to take April's hand. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm grateful for it nonetheless."

April smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest. For years, she had carried the burden of her father's mistakes, but now she was finally learning to let go.

He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before turning to leave. As he walked away, April watched him go, feeling a sense of sadness wash over her.

She didn't know when she would see him again, but she knew that she had done the right thing by forgiving him. It was good for the both of them.

Richard stood by his gate with his suitcase in hand. "I'm sorry it wasn't more fun to see me." He let out a chuckle.

"It wasn't that fun, but I do hope to see you again sometime," April responded with a smile.

Her father smiled before turning and walking down the catwalk to his plane. She waited there until it took off, listening to the loud hum of the engine.

April sat there for a few more minutes, lost in thought. She thought about what had just happened and how far she had come in forgiving her father. She knew that it wasn't going to be easy, but she was finally ready to let go of the past and move forward.

As much as she wanted him to stay and heal her hurt, she knew that it was better to let him go. To let him live his life and not try to control him. She had spent too many years trying to control his actions and his whereabouts. It was time to let go of that need for control and just let him be.

April stood up from the table, taking one last look at the spot where her father had sat just moments before. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of peace that she'd finally gotten closure.

The air was cool as she walked back out to her car. The sky was turning dark, and she wished she had brought an extra sweatshirt with her.

After everything she'd done, working hard to solve all of her problems the best she could, she finally felt satisfied.

EPILOGUE