Unapologetically Me

"Hey, dad!" He exclaims as soon as he opens the door to get into my car, "What is happening? You didn't tell me you'd come for me tonight."

"It wasn't planned, dude, I just missed you," I say, and it's not really a lie, but it's not the complete truth either. I feel like shit when he gives me a huge happy smile, "Did you miss me?"

"Well, yeah. But I always miss you," he says and shrugs, "All of my friends live with their dads every day, not just the weekends."

Oh, shit. My mouth forms a grimace, and it stays there as I'm processing the heavy guilt that sets over my shoulders. Tate isn't even complaining about it; he's just explaining why he misses me.

"I'm sorry, buddy," I mumble, not knowing what else to say, "It's really late right now, so you're going to bed as soon as we're home, but... you'll get to choose what we do tomorrow, okay? We'll take the whole day off, both of us."

"Really? I can choose anything I want?" He asks, I nod, "Awesome! Okay, I'll think about something fun."

"