Chapter Forty-Seven

She froze. What did he mean by that? He looked so angry, as if anything would push him over the edge. Leonard had never been someone who managed his anger well, and the past had shown that he did terrible things because of it. How did he know she was alone at home anyway? What did he want with her?

She didn't answer, and Leonard keep slamming his fists on her door. What was she going to do? Where was Keanu? She took her phone out and clicked it on, ready to text him.

Just then, she heard some shuffling of feet outside the door. "Leonard? What are you doing here?"

She peeked into the peephole. Keanu was approaching the front door. Thank god. There was no way she would ever win a physical fight against a man.

Leonard turned around. "Dad."

"Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to have a talk with Alice."

"She's probably sleeping now as I've told you," he said. "What did you want to tell her?"

"I - I " Leonard said. "I'm not going to lie, I was going to fight with her."

"Over?"

"You."

"And what would you be complaining about?"

Leonard shifted on his feet. "I just - " he said. "I don't know."

"What's going on?"

"Nothing - " Leonard said, stopping abruptly.

"You're not being forthcoming," Keanu said. "Tell me everything. Then I'll decide if it's worth Alice's time."

"Actually, I didn't want to fight with her. I don't know why I acted that way. I wasn't thinking."

"Then what do you want with her?"

"What she said that day about you stayed with me. I couldn't forget it. I was gonna talk to her about it."

"Oh," Keanu said. "That."

"I approached Mom with that and she told me it was the truth. It broke my heart, knowing she lied to me for so long. I blamed Alice for a while for that."

"You know it's not her fault, right?"

"I know," he said. "I was in my feelings."

"Do you want to come in?"

"No, it's okay," Leonard said.

"Goodbye then," Keanu said, wrapping his hand around the door handle.

"Wait, Dad."

Keanu let go of the handle, facing Leonard again. "Yeah?"

"I-I'm sorry, for everything."

Keanu's eyes widened in surprise but he didn't say anything.

"I kept thinking about what happened in the past, and I realised I never knew what I had until I actually lost it. I always thought you owed me the world, and even though you did give that to me, I was blind to it. I'm sorry for being like this. I'm sorry."

Keanu patted the side of Leonard's arm. "It's alright."

"I was immature and acted like a brat. I never listened to you, and I regret being such a difficult son. I wish I could change the past, but I can't."

"Well, we can't change the past but we can always have game night together like we used to when you were a kid now, right?"

"What? No way, I'm not gonna do that," Leonard said, his hand rubbing his hair. "That's so lame."

Keanu laughed. "Okay then," he said. "We can hang out however. Just let me know."

"Maybe have dinner or something."

"Sure, anytime."

"With you and Alice."

"Have you changed your mind about us?"

"Yeah," Leonard said. "I've been a real shitty boyfriend to her, I see that now."

"You really were."

"She was always kind to me, even when I was being mean or unreasonable. She gave in to everything and put me first always, but I took that for granted. Now she's gone and at a better place, I guess."

"She forgives you," he said. "You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I do," he said. "I guess all I want to say is please treat her like you always have, like I never could."

"I will."

"I should've known, really. Whenever she was down, she would ask me where you were. And when she needed help, she went to you instead of me. I see her often at school and she looks so, I can't describe it, so perfectly happy all the time. What you guys have is rare."

"I'm not sorry I found Alice, but I'm sorry I took her from you. If I could change things, I would have chosen to meet her differently, instead of through you. I never intended to hurt you, and trust me, I tried very hard to stay away from her, but I gave up in the end. I'm sorry, Leonard."

"I forgive you, I guess," Leonard said.

"So we have your approval?"

"You guys do, of course."

Keanu smiled and hugged Leonard, who patted his back awkwardly. "Thanks."

Crying, Alice threw the door open. "You asshole!"