“Michael’s a baseball player. He doesn’t know soccer.” His dad’s grin belied the mischief in his eyes. Soccer was clearly the better sport.

Daniel chuckled at what his father wasn’t saying and shook his head to dismiss it. “I’ve missed him, too. Maybe I’ll come around a bit more, give him some tips on those ball-handling skills.”

The older man’s shoulders relaxed, and a familiar twinkle entered his father’s eye. “I think he’d like that.”

“Yeah.” A sense of calm fell upon Daniel, one that he hadn’t experienced around his father in years. “Me, too.”

Coach put Charlie back on the field, so Daniel watched his nephew in companionable silence, side by side with his father. His father commented on Charlie’s strengths and pointed out areas for improvement. It reminded Daniel of when he and his father would analyze his own games, and whatever tension remained in him started to melt away into the ease that fathers and sons could share.

“So, whatever happened to that girl?” his father asked with the air of someone who already knew the answer. “I was hoping that going to group would have you running back to get her.”

“You know about group?” Daniel was incredulous.

His father shrugged, looking out at the field. “I hear things.”

Daniel just stared at him, aghast.

“You seem more—relaxed or something.” A quick glance in Daniel’s direction, then back to the field.

“I am.”

“So where is Annika, then?” This time his father turned to face him.

Daniel’s heart clenched at the mere mention of her name. “It wasn’t going to work, Dad.” His turn to stare at the field.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yeah, Dad. I do.” It seemed that whatever peace he’d come to with his father wasn’t going to last.

“I’m just saying that you’re not the same person you were a few months ago.”

“It doesn’t matter, Dad. I left her while her brother was in surgery. While her parents were terrified. When she needed me, I wasn’t there. She deserves better.”

“Why did you leave her?”

Daniel waved his father off. “Never mind.”

“Look at me, son, when I’m talking to you.”

You’re never too old to have to listen to your parents. Daniel turned and faced his father.

“Danny, you’re going to have to face it sooner or later. Why did you leave her?”

“Because... I was terrified, okay?” Daniel’s heart sank as the truth hit him. “Terrified that I’d have to be a father again—that I’d have to give my whole heart to someone—that as much as I wanted to, I hadn’t given my whole heart to her. And she deserves better than that.” An admission to the man who wasn’t afraid of anything.