Hard Truths (1)

Everyone falls silent, each stunned by the unexpected arrival of the last person any of them expected to see. Even Nic is speechless, confirming this was not factored into his plans today.

“Dad?” Nadia is the first to speak, as she stares at the red-haired man in casual dress attire.

He drops his scowl long enough to offer her a smile and say, “Hey sweet pea, I’ll be ready for you in just a moment.” He turns his attention back to Nic. “I just have to handle some business.” Al takes heavy steps towards the burly man before him, his scowl deepening even more than before. “So, please tell me Nicholas Paul Miller, where have I failed exactly as a Father, hmm?”

Nic’s ego finally catches up to the situation and he returns an indignant frown. “Everything. You have failed at everything possible Albert Kristof Frank. You simply need to look at her to see it.”