As always, thanks so much for the support. This chapter is a short one, but I just figured I'd put it out there. I think one more chapter after this one should wrap this sad little story up.

xxxxx

Hetty was waiting in the living room for Callen when he returned to Dovecote. "Come sit with me, Mr. Callen," she urged, patting the sofa next to where she was sitting. "Have some tea. It's a special blend you haven't had before."

Callen sat down on the sofa with a heavy sigh as she handed him a cup. "Thank you," he said softly. "Are you trying to put me to sleep, Hetty?"

"Of course not, but I do have some blends that could help you get some rest, if you'd like." She looked at him with concern in her eyes. "So…how are you doing?"

He sipped his tea and looked back at her sadly. "I don't know…okay, I guess…"

Hetty didn't believe him for a second. "It was a hard day for you," she said, sympathetically.

"I don't know why it was so hard," he said and Hetty caught the edge to his voice. "It's not like we really even knew each other. He…he didn't even try…"

Hetty couldn't find the words to comfort him. He'd gone through so many disappointments in his life. Finding his father should have given him some happiness, but it had just turned out to be another hope that had been smashed to pieces. "I'm sorry," she finally said.

"It doesn't matter," he said with a shrug. "It was my own fault for getting my hopes up…I should have known better…When you're a kid…you build up all kinds of expectations. I guess no one could have met them, really…"

Hetty shook her head sadly. "Somehow, I don't believe your expectations were too high," she said. "This is on him, Mr. Callen, not on you. Don't ever think for a second that you were to blame for your father's…I think inadequacies is a good word."

He nodded, but she could tell he didn't really believe what she was telling him. "Can I fix you anything to eat?" she asked.

"No, thanks," Callen said with a shake of his head. Then, knowing she was worried, he added. "I'll eat dinner tonight…I promise."

"I'm going to hold you to that," Hetty said, giving him a fond smile.

"Yeah, I kind of figured you would," he said, smiling back at her.

"Is there anything in particular you would like for dinner?" she asked. "I don't want to make something you don't like."

"I'm pretty sure you know what I like by now, Hetty," Callen said. "Whatever you make will be fine."

"Okay, perhaps you should lie down for a while and get some rest? I know you haven't been getting much sleep lately."

"I don't know," he said. "I think I might go for a walk on the beach, try to clear my head."

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll see you later."

Callen nodded. "I won't be too late."

xxxxx

He headed out to Venice and took a long walk, people watching along the way. He couldn't help but pay special attention to families of all kinds…mothers with their daughters… fathers with their sons… elderly couples, adults with elderly parents, lots of smiles and laughter. He couldn't help feeling even more sad when he saw them. There were parents pushing strollers or holding the hands of toddlers and young children. It made him think of the home movie of his father with him and Amy. The man in the movie had appeared to be enchanted with his children, a loving father who cared about his family. What had happened to that man? Where had he gone? When he had succeeded in thoroughly depressing himself, he headed back to Dovecote. Once there, he was able to avoid Hetty and head to his room. He was unable to sleep though, so he continued to dwell on thoughts of his father as he wondered why Garrison hadn't even tried to get closer to him.

xxxxx

Dinner was more of the same, a dismal affair. Hetty made a pot roast, mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley. He'd promised her he would eat, so he did, but he was quiet and moody and it wasn't a very pleasant meal. He knew it was his fault, but as hard as he tried, he couldn't seem to get himself out of the mood he was in. "I'm going to go home tomorrow," he said when he had finished eating and sat staring at his empty plate.

"Really? So soon?" Hetty asked. She had been sure he would have stayed a few days longer. Or at least she had hoped that he would.

Callen nodded. "I can't hide out like a little kid in your house, Hetty. I need to try to move past this."

"I hadn't thought of it as hiding out," Hetty said softly. "I'd just thought of it as getting support from your family…"

When she said that, his first instinct was to lash out, to say she wasn't his family, but he knew that would hurt her terribly and he also knew it wasn't true. He was angry at his father, not Hetty. The team was his family, just not by blood. It was just a hard thing to remember today. It was difficult to think that people who had just happened to become part of his life, could care about him more than his own father had. He started to think of his mother…the brief flashes of that fateful day on the beach. He knew she had loved him. More than anything, he wished that she had lived. He wished things could have been different for his mom, for himself and for Amy. He wished they could have had the chance to be a family…

xxxxx

Callen was still moody the following morning. He hadn't slept particularly well and was anxious about going home. He wasn't thrilled about being in the same place as the mystery envelope and pictures, but he knew he had to do it. Hetty had cooked him a big breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausages, home fries and toast. He did his best to eat well and be cordial during the meal. He knew Hetty didn't want him to leave and at the moment he was regretting the decision as well. However, staying at Dovecote would be the easy thing to do. He wasn't a child. He had to face this.

xxxxx

"Goodbye, Hetty," Callen said, leaning down to hug the diminutive woman. "Thank you…for everything."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay, just one more day?" Hetty felt like she was nagging him, but she couldn't seem to help it. She cared about him so much and hated to see him hurting the way he was.

Callen shook his head. "I really need to go home, Hetty," he said softly.

Hetty nodded. She did understand, but it didn't mean she had to like it. "And I don't suppose you've changed your mind about taking off a few days this week?"

"That won't help, Hetty," Callen explained. "I think I'm better off at work. Trust me, I can use the distraction."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," she said, nodding in agreement, but she had needed to make him the offer.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Hetty…and don't worry, I'm going to be fine. The smile he gave her appeared genuine enough, but he couldn't disguise his eyes and she saw right through him, knowing that he was anything but fine.