[Lucy]
As Dad drew closer, I could feel the heat of my emotions swirling inside me—fear, anger, but mostly a profound sense of uncertainty. I glanced at Cole and Tamara, who stood a few paces behind me, unsure of how to navigate the unfolding scene.
“Hey,” my father said, his voice tentative as he stopped in front of me. He looked older than I remembered from photos—graying hair and a few lines etched on his forehead, but his eyes were still that familiar shade of blue I had inherited.
“Hi,” I managed, unsure of how to break the ice. I could feel my heart racing, wild beneath my ribs.
He cleared his throat, casting a glance at my friends before turning back to me. “Thank you for agreeing to meet.”
The awkwardness honed in on us, the silence stretching as we both searched for words that wouldn’t come. I glanced down at my shoes, wondering if I should say something light, something to diffuse the tension, but nothing felt appropriate.
“I… um,” he stammered, rubbing the back of hi
