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His dad flushed. “I don’t mean like that. I mean living together, sharing a life together.”
“What are you saying, Dad?” Jason asked.
“I want to ask your mom to remarry me, renew our vows, or whatever you want to call it. I want your blessing first.”
“Our blessing? Why?” Connor said.
“Because you were there for her when I wasn’t. You helped her through the worst time of her life. I won’t move forward trying to rebuild a life with her if you both don’t want me to.”
“You’re not the only one who’s changed. Mom’s stronger than she was,” Connor said.
“If she wants to be part of your life, we can’t stop her,” Jason added.
“I know, but I’ll walk away from her, and you, if it’s what you both want.”
Connor knew what their dad wanted. Forgiveness.
Could he and Jace give it to him?
“Where would you live?” Jason said.
“Tammy wants to move back here to Jersey. To be near me and both of you. She’s going to rent an apartment for six months. Hopefully by then, my parole will be done, and we can remarry and move in together.”
“How do you plan on rebuilding a life with her?” Connor asked. “Mom is used to a certain quality of life now.”
“A life the three of us worked hard to make together,” Jason added.
Their dad nodded, as if he’d been prepared for that question. “Besides working at the garage, I’ve started a side business making furniture. Outdoor furniture like Adirondack chairs, custom picnic tables. Also, indoor furniture like bookcases, desks, tables, and the like.”
“When do you do that?” Jason asked.
“I have a lot of free time on my hands now that the pier renovation is done,” He continued. “One of the guys who helped with the carousel renovation is working with me. We’re renting out a shed on the garage property. It’s a piece-of-shit space, but the owner is renting it to us for dirt cheap. We’ve made a few things and through word of mouth have gotten some custom orders.”
“You have any pictures?” Connor said.
Picking up his cell phone, his dad scrolled through his photo app. “Here’s what we’ve made so far.”
Connor and Jason studied the images. The quality of what they’d built was clear. Clean lines, sturdy wood.
“These look terrific,” Connor said. “I’d think these would sell big around here.”
“We’re always scouting out this type of stuff during our renovations,” Jason said. “Hell, Emma was just saying she wants to get new furniture for the patio and sunroom once we renovate them.”
“I’m not asking for your help to sell them. I have a plan to support your mom and am not expecting her to support me.”
“We’re glad to hear it, Pop,” Connor said.
“Does Mom know about this business?” Jason said.
“She encouraged me to do it.” He paused and studied his lap. “She raised you fine boys, working three jobs she hated when I couldn’t hold down one. And now, with her real estate license, she’s really found something she loves. I’m proud of her and you. You were better off without me in your life.”
Connor exchanged a glance with Jason, who nodded. “I had my share of screw-ups. My life could have gone a completely different way if Mom and Uncle Tom hadn’t forced me into rehab. And I still fucked it up the first time. But family sticks together to support each other. Through good times and bad. Isn’t that what they say during wedding vows?”
“The important thing is you’ve gotten help and are working on your relationship with Mom,” Jace added.
“And us,” Connor said.
Their dad nodded and wiped at his eyes. “She never gave up on me, and I don’t know why not. I gave her more than enough reasons to.”
