My father stared at Mike in shock.
Emma slowly released Grandpa’s arm.
The applause faded as everyone watched my husband standing in the middle of the basketball court.
The coach approached him.
“Sir, please return to your seat. The ceremony is still in progress.”
“Just one minute,” Mike pleaded.
Emma looked at him through her tears.
“Why are you here, Mike? Didn’t you say you weren’t my father?”
Her words seemed to break something inside him.
He turned toward my father.
“George, you’re 81 years old and can barely walk, yet you came here for her. I have two healthy legs, but I refused because I convinced myself I didn’t belong beside her.”
Then he said something that made my heart stop.
“Nine years ago, before I married Emma’s mother, something happened that I’ve never told anyone.”
Even I didn’t know what he meant.
