Chapter Fifty-Two
K atherine’s heart raced. Was she ready to do this? She’d been sitting outside of her biological dad’s place for nearly an hour. You can do it. She thought of all the reasons why she should just go to the door.
She’d been watching him for weeks and had learned quite a bit about his life. Sure, there were some things she hadn’t been able to find out, but she’d at least figured out that he seemed like a pretty decent guy.
And Mom would be so relieved. She’d promised that she wouldn’t contact him until Katherine was ready. It was obvious that her mother would like to have a conversation with him. And Katherine was pretty sure she knew why.
According to her calculations, this man was the last remaining person her mother needed to apologize to. And Katherine was afraid of what would happen then.
Sitting in church last Sunday with her grandparents, the preacher’s lesson had been about love. He’d cited one of her favorite verses from First Corinthians, but this time, she’d heard something in the passage that she’d never focused on before. Love does not insist on its own way. Wasn’t that exactly what she’d been doing? The lesson had helped her to realize how selfish she was being. If making amends was what her mother needed to do in order to be at peace, then Katherine knew she should comply.
An old basketball goal outside of the house caught her eye. The net was missing and Katherine couldn’t help but wonder if her dad had hung the goal or if it had been there when he’d purchased the place. At their home in California, her mother had hired someone to put a basketball goal up so Katherine could practice. Even on days when her mother had worked late, she’d still stayed out in the driveway until dark, helping Katherine perfect her jump shot.
“I have to be your mom and your dad,” Her mother had always said. They’d gone on camping trips, fishing trips and attended Lakers games because her mom didn’t want her to feel like she’d missed out on anything by not having a father figure around.
But now, sitting in his driveway, she couldn’t help but wonder what it might’ve been like. Would he have been over-protective when she was sixteen and going on her first date? Would he have been patient as he taught her how to drive? She had to face the facts. Even if she met him now and they developed some kind of relationship, she’d never really know what it would’ve been like.
Her memories of growing up were good ones though. And looking back, she knew she wouldn’t trade those for the world. Especially not now.
She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. It was now or never. Katherine took one more look in the mirror. Her hair was in place and her lipstick was fresh. She climbed slowly from the car, feeling like a gladiator facing an arena full of lions. But that was silly. She’d seen this man plenty of times over the past few weeks. He was harmless. Handsome, even.
Katherine marched up the front path to the door. Should she knock or ring the bell? She glanced down at the welcome mat. Would she really be welcome? There was only one way to find out. She raised her fist and rapped three times on the door. Then she waited.