Snippet #2317400

"Dad..." Dominic stepped forward tentatively, "...look, just here me out? Please?" His stomach lurched. Miles wasn't even looking him in the eye.

"I know," he began slowly, "you must be angry seeing me here, like this. Any father would if their son abandoned them for a decade. I was hurt and psychologically destroyed by my mother's death, but that doesn't excuse what I did. I left you. I left Julia. I left my home. I shirked my responsibilities and wasted a fortune. I deserted my family and betrayed their love and support with arrogance." A deep, lingering pause. "And for that, I am sorry."

Dom drew a thoughtful breath. "I thought getting away would help me reconcile with the pain of mom's murder, but all I was really trying to do was bury it. No amount of liquor, parties, education or intergalactic adventure could help me cope with what happened to me some fifteen years ago. I know that now. I've seen the truth. Believe or not, I LEARNED something out there." He nodded adamantly. "That's why I'm here. I've come back because I want to make things right. I want to start fresh with the company and with my family. I want to work hard for what I earn and make you proud."

He shrugged. "All in all, I just want to be your son again."