JulianI stared at my phone for what felt like hours, and slowly the screen dimmed, then brightened, and then dimmed again. I felt tired, uncertain, but somehow I felt resolved.There was only one other conversation I needed to have. And so I opened my contacts and scrolled down until I reached my dad’s contact. My thumb hovered over it and trembled slightly. It wasn’t fear of what he’d say that shook me; I’d long stopped hoping for his approval. It was knowing that once I made this call, there’d be no going back.Still, I pressed dial.The line rang twice before his voice came through, sharp and composed.“Julian.”Just hearing him say my name sent a jolt down my spine. There was always something about his tone. It was measured, heavy, the kind that made you straighten without realizing it.“Hey, Dad,” I said, trying to sound calm. “We need to talk.”A brief pause followed, then I heard that low exhale I’d grown up with. The kind that came right before a lecture.“Finally,” he said.
Last Updated : 2025-11-06 Read more