Ten things William Reid wished his son knew
1. He had hoped for a future with his family.
He had never intended to leave them. He loved them both more than words could express, but had cracked under the pressure of the secret he and his wife were keeping and it had led to the failure of his marriage. He had never wanted to hurt them, but there came a point where he couldn't take it any longer. Leaving them was the hardest and worst decision he ever made.
2. He had originally intended to only leave for a few weeks.
He had needed a vacation when he packed his bags. He stayed in a hotel the first few nights and noticed the incredible difference between living alone and living with his family. Although he missed them, the peace of mind of not having the family's burdens on his shoulders was addicting. By the time he considered going back it was a few months later, and he felt he had lost the ability to be a father to his son.
3. William never officially divorced his wife.
He still loved her all those years they were apart. He never wanted to end their relationship completely. She was still very much a part of his heart, and he hoped that someday she might find it in her heart to forgive him, and maybe even give him a second chance.
4. He kept a picture of his family hidden in his desk.
He looked at it often during his lunch hour. He always wondered what they were up to and how they were getting on without him. Sometimes late at night he even drove by the house just to feel close to them again.
5. William was in the stands at Spencer's graduation.
He had made sure that neither Diana or Spencer would see him, and applauded when his son received his diploma. He had even taken a few pictures, even though they didn't come out well. He kept the graduation photos and program in a special picture frame in his bedroom.
6. William wrote several letters to his son for multiple occasions in his life, but never sent them.
He knew that Spencer would reject hearing from him after all those years of estrangement, but he felt the compulsion to write. He kept them in his nightstand, along with several early photos of his family.
7. William cried over his family all the time when he first left, and still did.
He wished things could have been different and that he could have been the man his wife and son deserved. Although his work kept him busy, it didn't replace the love of his family. He missed them all the time.
8. William tracked his son's progress from high school through his career as a profiler.
He had promised himself that he would watch his son grow, and he kept it. He kept his distance, but was still got to watch Spencer's life.
9. William had considered following his son to Virginia, but he chose to stay in Las Vegas.
He couldn't bring himself to leave the state that had brought him his wife and child. He was a man of habit, and had been at the same law firm for years. He also stayed in hopes that his son would someday seek him out again.
10. William loves Spencer.
He may not have known how to show it when Spencer was a child and didn't know how to reach out to him after all their years apart. But he still cared for his son a great deal, and, if he'd been asked, would gladly have played a part in his life once again.