30. Rocky
thirty
Rocky
“Pops, I love you. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, kid, I know. Is everything okay?”
“Well, last month, a man came to my game. Coach Mackenzie wanted me to meet him.” I sigh and look up at my parents. “The man Coach wanted me to meet was Johnny Henry.” I hear an audible gasp. “Except, I already know who he is. I’ve known for the last two years.”
I look at my mom's teary eyes, and my dad looks heartbroken. I move to give them each a hug.
I don’t care what the blood test says. Christopher Savage is my dad. My best friend. The man I have always looked up to, and wanted to be when I grew up.
“I don’t care who that man is. You are my dad. My best friend. I heard you and mom talking one night, and that’s how I know. I wasn’t purposely eavesdropping. You two did what you thought was best for me. I heard more than just who he is. I don’t hate you for not telling me, but it also makes sense why I’m not great at hockey,” I chuckle.
“Son, you are mine through and through. It doesn't matter that we don’t share the same DNA. You. Are. My. Son. I can’t believe he showed up to your game. What did he think, since you’re a great player you’d want to have him in your life?” He shakes his head, and I know he’s very upset.
“I walked away from him and Coach Mack, and he said, ‘Don't walk away from me, son.’ And I told him that I wasn’t his son, and that I’m a Savage,” I say with a smirk and then continue. “I am a Savage. You are my dad. You taught me how to ride a bike, how to use a drill, how to treat people we love. You showed me that DNA doesn't matter, you loved me even when I was a shit head kid. A teenager and now. You’ve never made me feel like I wasn’t your son. You’ve always made me feel loved and wanted. You’re the dad I hope to be when I have kids. You are everything I could have ever wanted. You didn’t hate the fact that I can throw a ball better than I could shoot a hockey puck. You still love me. You’ve never missed a game or practice when you could make it. You’ve always made me feel like I’m your favorite boy in the world. You and grandpa are the best men that I could have asked for to look up to over the last twenty-two years. I wouldn’t trade you for the world.”
I swear, I see tears in my pop’s eyes. I walk up and hug him tight.
“I understand why you didn’t tell me. I don’t know how I would’ve reacted if I found out when I was younger. I’m glad I have you. Autumn doesn’t know. I never told her.”
“Autumn doesn't know what?” she asks as she walks in, and everyone to turn to look at her.
“That I got into NC State but decided to stay close to home,” I say with a smile. “I didn’t want to leave my favorite sister.”
“I’m your only sister,” she replies with an eye roll.
“Yeah, and I didn’t want to leave you. Mom and dad either,” I say with a pouty lip, and she laughs.
“Hey, Mami, Daddy! I missed you guys so much. How’s Papa doing?” She runs over and gives them each a big hug.
“He’s doing okay.” Our mom gives her soft smile, but I don’t buy that.
I look over at Montana and I’m so glad that she’s here with me today.
I know my parents have more to say, but that’ll have to wait.
We’re sitting around the couch with the fireplace going and a bunch of pictures are scattered on the table. There are pictures of us when we were younger, of our moms in college together and some of all four of our parents together. I look over at my girl and see her hand placed over her mouth, quietly sobbing. I move closer to her and hold onto her to let her know it's okay to cry.
She sees a picture of three little kids on the table and she picks it up. She’s smiling at it.
“Hey, that’s me.”
I sit there, smiling at Montana, and in the corner of my eye I see my mom smirking because she knows exactly what I’m thinking about. She knows it's the picture about the story of when I proposed to Montana. I know it's crazy that I knew her when I was little but forgot. It’s wild how memories work. Our moms were close but when we moved away, we lost touch, I put everything in a box. Even though our moms called and texted each other frequently, I guess it's different when that person is in your life all the time or while you’re older. Then, as I grew up, the memories faded.
Monti picks up the next picture with the two of us and the ring I got her.
“Babe, I still have this ring. It’s the reason my favorite color is green. How could I forget? I know the ring, but I couldn’t remember where it came from. I know I was young, but to forget that part of my life?”
“Well, honey, you two were really young when we moved, and we didn’t see each other. I guess over the years, you made new memories and forgot about these ones. Can you name anyone in your elementary class? Well, maybe a few that you stayed friends with over time?”
“No, you’re right. I can’t. We moved around a few times, so other than Holly, I don't remember a lot of people. Unfortunately, I wish I could forget her,” she huffs out.
“Monti, here’s a picture of us at a sleepover,” Autumn says.
“Oh my gosh, this is so great. Can I have copies of these? I have pictures from my parents, but I haven’t had the courage to go through them yet. I haven’t been able to put any up around the house. It still hurts so much.” She sniffles.
“Oh honey, of course you can. Do you want me to go through them with you? Because I will,” Mom says as she pulls Monti into a hug, and they cry together.
Montana is so strong, and I want her to know that with me, she doesn’t have to be strong all the time. She can lean on me. When she is twenty-five percent, I will be the other seventy-five percent for her. She’ll learn that she can let her guard down and I won't let her down. She’ll never have to worry where I am and who I’m with because when I do have to go somewhere, my heart is with her.
“Honey, I know it's not the same but when you need me or miss your mom, you can always call or stop by anytime. I know I’m not your mom, but I loved her so much and I love you too.”
“Thank you, I’ve missed her so much, especially recently.”
She snuggles up to my side and my mom smiles. She turns and I know she wants to say something, but she doesn’t. She just gives me this look like ‘I know you won't mess this up, but don’t mess this up.’
I smile, kiss the top of her head, and hold onto Montana a little bit tighter.
I know she has her Uncle Atlas, but now she has us too. She needs to know that her parents will be her angels.
We are her family now too.
I’m her family and she’s mine.