I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone. I called him, my hands shaking.
“Dad?” I said when he answered.
“Yes, honey?” His voice was filled with worry.
“I’m still really mad at you,” I said, my voice breaking. “But… I get it. I understand why you didn’t tell me.”
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I love you more than anything.”
“I know,” I said, wiping my eyes. “Maybe we can start over. I’d like to meet her, properly.”
There was silence on the other end, then he said, “I’d like that too.”
“Okay,” I said softly. “Let’s have dinner together.”
As the sun set, we sat down at a small table at the same spot we met earlier, sharing a quiet, awkward meal. Jenna, my half-sister, broke the silence first. “I’m Jenna. This is weird for both of us, huh?”
I nodded, smiling hesitantly. “Yeah, it is. I’m Amy.”
Dad chimed in, his voice hopeful. “She’s studying marine biology.”
We talked more easily then—about college, our favorite shows, and Dad’s funny quirks. I saw her smile, and it felt genuine.
I reached out and squeezed Dad’s hand. “We’ll be okay.”
Jenna grinned. “Maybe next time, we can go swimming?”
“Only if you save me from sharks,” I joked, and we all laughed, starting to feel like a family.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
