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Sean.
    As they watched the two ladies walk out the front door, Brian said, “Dad, I’m really happy for you and Stephanie. Why didn’t you do this earlier?”
    Sean sighed. “Well, there were a lot of reasons, but one very important one, and you’re old enough now to understand. When your mother left, I made a pledge to myself to never say or do anything that would make you to resent her. I knew the reason she walked out. She hated being a mother. I just kept hoping she would change.” He shook his head. “She never did.”
    Brian stared at his father. “Was it something I did?”
    Kruger shook his head rapidly. “No, it was nothing you did, it started before you were born. I should have seen the signs, but I was too busy with my new career and traveling all the time. At that stage, I was gone more than I was home. She was always a little self-centered, but being pregnant caused her to become extremely selfish. She hated being pregnant and wanted me home to take care of her. My job didn’t allow me to cater to her every whim. One day, you were about 10 months old, I returned from a two-day trip to St. Louis. I found you alone in your playpen crying. Your diaper was soiled, you were starving and screaming your lungs out. She was nowhere to be found.”
    Brian was quiet, fascinated with the story. After a few moments, he said, “What happened?”
    “I was pissed beyond words. I cleaned you up, got a bottle, fed and rocked you until you settled down. I couldn’t put you in the crib. Every time I did, you’d start crying, afraid you’d be left again. So I held you until you fell asleep. Your mother had packed most of her clothes and personal things, and then left you in your playpen. I don’t know how long she’d been gone, probably twenty-four hours, maybe more. I never did find out. I called a lawyer friend of mine and had an injunction filed against her. She wasn’t allowed to be with you unless I or my parents were in the same room. The injunction didn’t really matter. She never made an attempt to see you until you were five. By that time, I had secured the divorce and was granted sole custody.”
    Brian stared at his father and said nothing.
    Kruger continued, “Another pledge I made to myself was that I would never leave you with someone I didn’t completely and unquestionably trust. That’s when my parents jumped at the opportunity to help. They moved here so they could keep you when I traveled.”
    Brian nodded. “Grandma always told me they felt blessed about being able to help. She also told me they were sad you didn’t have anyone in your life to love you.”
    “I wasn’t aware they felt that way. They never said anything to me, but that’s the way they were.” Kruger shrugged. “I just didn’t take the time to look for another relationship. Stephanie and I just happened. We moved in next to each other by chance, became friends, then our friendship grew into something else.” He chuckled and was quiet for a moment. “Love sometimes just happens, without looking for it.”
    Brian sat quietly staring out the window toward the lights of The Plaza. Finally he said, “Wow. I didn’t know that about my mother. I always thought it was something I did. Guess it wasn’t.”
    “No, it wasn’t. I realize now I should have told you earlier. Sorry, Brian.”
    Brian shrugged and looked back at his father. “It’s okay, I’ve always known she was my mother, but Grandma was my mom.” He paused, his eyes grew moist, and he blinked a few times. “I miss her.”
    Kruger nodded. “So do I.”
    Stephanie and Michele returned, giggling like teenagers. Stephanie said, “Oh, we are going to have so much fun tomorrow. We know exactly where to go.”
    She saw Brian’s somber mood and glanced at Sean. “Did we come back at a bad time?”
    Brian quickly recovered from his funk and said with a grin, “Nope, just having the birds and the bees talk with my father before his wedding night. Can’t be too