I Should Have Said It Before
I can’t believe it.
I really can’t. He outsmarted all
of us. Ever since he was a kid I
thought… no… everyone thought that he was the best kid.
But that is the point is it.
Ever since Zach was a kid, he was overwhelmed with
love and good deeds sent in his direction.
He took advantage of all these kind gestures, never appreciating what
was being done for him.
I knew there was something up, but I never spoke
up. I never talked to Zach… or to anyone
for that matter… about his behavior. I
never said anything.
Huh… you always think that everything will get
better. Not this time. Things just got
worse.
You would never think that a 14 or a 16 year old
boy could mess with his fathers’ head.
You would never think that a kid who everyone thought highly of would be
so manipulative.
I should have said something.
Then, as he was getting older, I still didn’t say
anything. Even after all the things he
did. All of the lies, the stolen money,
the smoking at 13, the liquor at 14, smashing the car after a poker party, and
even dumping my entire tool box into the river!
Nothing was said.
Ever.
Well…
Nothing was said until Lizzie… (deep breath)
Nothing was said until Lizzie died.
He was days late.
That son of a— And he still had
the decency to ask for forgiveness. Oh
the nerve of that kid.
And that was the moment. That was the moment I said something.
That was the moment I gave him the decision. Stay under my conditions… or go. Stay and work… or go. Stay and have a family… or go.
Try to give a truthful apology… say something
finally worth something… or go.
I should have said it before.
