He continues, “Delia has helped me look forward. She’s certain I can learn from my mistakes, acknowledge what I did, and not do it again. Move forward.”

“Yet here we are,” I say. “Another takeover attempt.”

My father shifts uncomfortably. “Funny enough, the only way in the past ten years I’ve been able to see you is when I’m trying to take over your company.” He shrugs. “I wanted to speak with you.”

I stare at him. “You hired two dozen lawyers so we could have a chat over tea?”

He clears his throat. “Three dozen,” then, “Delia said it was a bad idea.”

I spread my hands. “Obviously.”

My father nods. “I don’t have the right to ask for a relationship. I don’t expect one. I put all my fears and self-loathing on you boys, and for that I’m sorry. It took me nearly sixty years to grow up.”

I study him. He’s in an understated suit, unlike his former flashy Armani suits. He wears a simple gold wedding band and I allow myself to see that he seems relaxed, content with himself, centered.

“About destroying me and tearing me apart for my son…”

“Yes?”

“I’d like to invite you to his christening. His name’s Tyler.” He pulls out his wallet and flips it open to a small photo of a tiny baby in a blue hat and a diaper. A dark-haired woman smiles down at him. My chest hurts looking at the picture.

“Is that Delia?”

“That’s her. We’re married now. Two years in November.”

I nod. I didn’t even know my dad had remarried.

“When’s the christening?”

My dad smiles and it’s filled with enormous relief and gratitude.

“I’m not doing it for you,” I say. “I’m doing it for my brother. Every kid deserves as much unconditional love from as many people as possible.”

My dad sniffs and blinks his eyes. “Good. Good,” he says in a gruff voice. He holds out his hand to shake. I grasp it in a firm grip. I don’t think I’ve ever shaken his hand before.

“I never told you,” he says. “but I’ve always been proud of you. Tremendously proud.”

I frown. “Because I became the focused businessman you wanted?”

He shakes his head. “Because no matter how hard I tried to ruin it, you kept your ability to care.”

I stare down at the table, unable to look at him. It was Jessie that did that for me. If I hadn’t met her, if I hadn’t fallen in love at first sight, if she hadn’t given me The Horse and His Boy, and all her years of smiles, I would’ve lost the ability to care long ago.

I stand up abruptly and shove back the chair. “I have to go.”