chapt. 2

"Dad, (damn it! he was going to call him William for spite) what...why are you calling? Its late and its been a really long day. I just want to get some rest."

"Spencer, I'm sorry for calling so late, I just really didn't like the way we left things."

"What, today, or 17 years ago?", Spencer said bitterly.

William gave a long sigh. "Well, both actually."

"There are so many things that I didn't get to tell you, so much that I need to say. I just couldn't find the right time or the right words to say them."

Spencer sighed. He was really starting to feel irritated.

"Look, I know you are probably dealing with a lot of guilt right now, which is certainly understandable, you have a lot to be guilty about, but I'm not in the mood to make amends. Please, if you really want to talk, then do it tomorrow, I'm really not up for this now."

"Spencer I know today has been very troubling for you. And I want you to know I'm not mad anymore about the mistake you made. You're bitter and you just wanted to find something, anything to get back at me for what I did to you and your mother. Just know, I forgive you."

Spencer could no longer hold in all the venom, "Wow, that's rich...You forgive me! You self-centered son-of-a bitch! This investigation was not about you. It was about trying to get to the truth. Trying to put the pieces together from something that has been plaguing me for years. You just so happened to be one of the pieces in the puzzle." "I can't do this right now. This day has drained all the strength out of me. Just please, I can't talk to you now."

"Alright Spencer, then tomorrow... I know you are upset, and angry, and you have every right to be. I failed you as a father. I was scared and honestly just not capable of giving so much of myself to another human being." "It was not just you Spencer, it was your mom, and every relationship after. It was never you. You were never the problem. It was me, and only me. And I'm just so sorry that I was never able to be the father I should have been to both of my children. he sighed... I've wasted enough of your time. I'll call you tomorrow. Goodnight Spencer." he hung up.

Spencer was sitting on the bed, mouth open, brow furrowed, stunned and utterly confused.

"Did he say both"