Devon

 

 

 

Devon was just finishing up a tattoo when the front door opened and Phoenix’s old man stepped inside. The one who’d raised him from an infant, but wasn’t his biological father.

“Hey, Gary,” she called out. “You here for another tattoo?”

She’d inked him a few times over the last couple of years. A skull. A snake. A two-headed dragon.

“No,” he said, looking uncomfortable. He held out an envelope. “I just came in to deliver this to you.”

Devon gave him a curious look. She stood up and walked over to Gary. “What’s this for?”

 

 “Just read it,” he answered, his forehead glistening with sweat.

“Uh, okay,” she said, wondering what it was all about.

“I’ve gotta go,” he replied, backing away toward the doorway.

“Okay.”

He turned around and left quickly.

Devon could see through the envelope that it was some kind of a handwritten letter. She decided not to read it right away, thinking that the man might be professing his love for her. She’d seen the way Gary had looked at her in the past. With affection and warmth. It could only mean one thing.

Sighing, she set the envelope down and went back to her customer.

 

 

***

 

 

An hour later, while Devon was cleaning up her area, and preparing to leave for the night, she remembered the envelope from Gary. She opened it up and took out the letter. As she read the contents, she began to cry.

 

 

***

 

 

Thirty minutes later, Devon walked into the Sunrise Diner. She found Gary sitting in the back, drinking coffee. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to the booth and sat down across from him.

“I didn’t think you’d show up,” he said, his hand shaking as he set the cup down.

She didn’t waste any time. “So, you’re really my father?”

He nodded. “I’m… sorry,” he said, looking ashamed. “I… I know there’s no excuse for not coming to you earlier. For… what happened. And, I’m not looking for sympathy, either.”

Besides finding out that he was her father, Devon had also learned that he was dying of lung cancer.

“I’m not here to sympathize,” she said softly. “I just wanted to know how you could have known this, all of these years. That I was your daughter, and not… say anything?”

“It’s complicated,” he replied.

She frowned. “That’s a bullshit answer.”

Gary explained that he and her mother had hooked up one night, even though he’d been married to Phoenix’s mother, and Devon’s mother had gotten pregnant.

“Your mother didn’t want anyone to know it was me. Especially Tom. She figured he’d murder me.”

“Even though my Uncle Tom was screwing your wife?” Devon said dryly.

Gary nodded. “I didn’t know he’d had sex with Liz or knocked her up. I didn’t even know that Vaughn wasn’t my son until just recently. Liz just told me a few weeks ago.”

Devon stared at him. She could see it in his eyes that he was telling the truth.

“So, why now?” Devon said. “Is it because you’re sick?”

“I’ve always wanted to tell you, Devon. I was just a coward. I was afraid of Tom. Liz. Even Vaughn. But,” he let out a long sigh. “Not anymore. I’m not afraid of anything anymore. Not even death.”

They sat there in awkward silence. For the first time in her life, Devon was at a loss for words.

“So, what do you want from me?” she asked finally, her eyes filling with tears.

He reached his hand over and touched hers. “Nothing. I don’t want anything from you. I just wanted to tell you the truth and ask for your forgiveness.”

She smiled bitterly. “So, you do want something from me.”

“You don’t have to forgive me,” he replied. “In fact, I won’t blame you if you didn’t.”

Devon let out a ragged sigh. “I’ve been through a lot, you know? Especially, growing up. I could have used a father.”

He nodded.

“But, life isn’t always filled with rainbows and unicorns,” she said, sliding out of the booth.

“Nope,” he said.

She stood up and looked down at him. “I don’t want anything from you.”

“I understand,” he said, looking sad.

“But my child is going to need a grandfather. And Brass’s parents are both gone. So, if you want to come over for dinner, next Sunday, I’d like to have you.”

Gary looked at her in surprise. “You’re pregnant?”

She nodded. “About three months.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know how long I’ve got,” Gary said softly. “The doctors say it could be two months, it could be a year.”

“I’ll take what you can give me,” Devon said, trying not to feel sorry for Gary. But, she still did. 

He smiled. “Thank you.”

Devon nodded. “Just, do me one favor? Brass is the one cooking this weekend. He’s not very good at it, but I think it’s sweet that he tries. Anyway, tell him the chili is great.”

Gary chuckled. “Will do. Can I bring anything?”

“Just yourself,” she replied, thinking that it was all she’d ever wanted. A real father. Sitting down at the table, sharing a meal and everything in between.

He looked pleased.

“Also, Brass doesn’t know I’m pregnant. So, don’t say anything. I’m going to surprise him.”

Gary’s eyes widened and he smiled. “Okay.”

“Do you have my address?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Gary, looking embarrassed. “I’ve always had it. You don’t know how many times I drove by, trying to get the courage up to talk to you.”

“Oh,” she said, blinking back tears again. What else could she say? “I guess we’ll see you on Sunday?”

“I’ll be there. I promise.”

Devon turned around and hurried out of the diner, the song I’ll Be There For You by Bon Jovi echoing through her head. Gary was twenty-three years late, but… it was better late than never, she decided.

 

 

The End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The story of Hollywood (Jayce). Description and release date coming soon.