Lucas nodded.
The night before he disappeared, he had told me he wanted to pursue mechanic training instead of going to college. I had spent years saving for his education, and I was terrified he would abandon his future without a proper plan.
Instead of listening, I had let my fear turn into anger.
I had told him he was throwing away everything I’d worked for. Then I said something I would regret for years.
“If you walk away from this, don’t expect me to fix everything for you.”
I had meant that I wouldn’t pay for his education if he refused to take it seriously.
But Lucas had heard something else.
“I thought you meant I couldn’t come home,” he said. “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”
My heart broke.
“I was angry, Lucas. I was frightened you’d make a decision you’d regret. But I never stopped wanting you.”
