Chapter 2
Chase and Jonathan sat at the kitchen table. Tears were falling from Jonathan's eyes.
"Tell me what's been going on," Chase said.
"It's been 11 years since my parents died," Jonathan said.
Chase handed Jonathan a paper towel.
"Thanks," Jonathan said.
"You're welcome," Chase said.
"I don't know if I can talk about this," Jonathan cried.
"It's okay," Chase said softly.
"No it's not," Jonathan said. "It's really not."
Chase patted Jonathan on the back.
"My parents loved going to see musical theatre performances," Jonathan said. "They would go every Saturday night and leave me with a babysitter. Being 5, I was always curious of what a musical theatre show was like. One Saturday night I asked if I could come with them and they told me no and that I was too young and wouldn't enjoy it. I begged and begged, but they said no. I got mad and told them that I hated them. That was the last thing I ever said to them."
The tears began to fall from Jonathan's eyes faster and Jonathan wiped his eyes with the paper towel.
"On their way to the theatre, their car slid off the road and into a river," Jonathan sobbed. "They both drowned."
"I'm so sorry," Chase said.
"The last thing I ever said to them was I hate you," Jonathan sobbed. "They died thinking I hated them."
"They knew you didn't hate them," Chase said softly.
"No," Jonathan sobbed. "I remember the hurt looks on their faces. They thought I hated them."
"Come here," Chase said softly.
Chase hugged Jonathan tightly as Jonathan continued to cry.
"Your parents knew you didn't mean it," Chase said softly. "They knew you loved them and they loved you."
"I love you so much," Jonathan sobbed. "I promise I'll never say hateful or rude things to you."
"I love you too," Chase said.
Chase kissed his son on the forehead.
"It's okay," Chase said softly. "I'm here."