"Are those Pops' things from the retirement home, Booth?"
Booth put the box on the counter. "Yeah. Pictures of me and Jared, cards from his great grandkids, CDs from that living history project when he was reminiscing about Korea, a signed baseball. Stuff like that. Jared and I will go through it and see what we want."
Brennan paused. "Booth, I need to tell you something."
"I hate it when you start a conversation like that. What is it?"
"Pops felt responsible for your dad abandoning you. He caught your dad abusing you."
.Booth spoke softly. "Actually, I knew that. Dad told me about it the last time I talked to him. He said Pops had done it for his own good. Dad was just never able to get better and come home."
"Pops felt terrible about it, Booth. He asked me to tell you after he died."
"Dad was right. Pops had to do it. I've been doing some reminiscing of my own, you know? I was in my twenties when I last saw my dad, and I swore I'd never be like him. I hated him. Then I go and get myself kicked out of my house, just like he did. And you had to do that. Like father, like son."
"You're nothing like him, Booth. You're working through things and you came home. You didn't abandon us."
"I remember what it was like when Dad was gone.. wondering what I did wrong, where he was...listening to other kids talk about their dads. I never want my kids to have to be in that situation again. Once was enough to get my attention. Thanks for making me see what i was doing, Bones. I know it was hard on you." He kissed her. "I'll never put you through that again."