Chapter 2: The Man in the Charcoal Coat
PART 2
I didn't sleep that night.
I lay on my back staring at the ceiling, running the same thought over and over.
Fourteen years.
Not one phone call.
Not one birthday card.
And now David wanted a seat in the stands at the biggest moment of Mason's life.
The next morning, I drove to the stadium alone.
Mason had already left with his team.
I found my usual spot in the third row.
Same seat I'd sat in for every game since he was seven.
Then I saw him.
David was standing near the tunnel entrance in a sharp charcoal coat, looking exactly like a man who had spent fourteen years becoming someone important.
He was smiling.
Relaxed.
Like he belonged there.
He spotted me before I could look away.
He walked over.
"Leo." He extended his hand.
"It's been a long time."
I didn't take it.
"You've got nerve," I said quietly.
His smile didn't waver.
"Mason invited me.
I'm just here for him."
"You were supposed to be there for him fourteen years ago."
Something shifted behind his eyes.
Just for a second.
"I know I made mistakes—"
"You left a note," I said.
"Five words.
That's all he was worth to you."
David opened his mouth.
Then the stadium lights flooded on, and the teams ran out onto the field.
Mason was last out of the tunnel.
Tall.
Focused.
Captain's armband on his left arm.
He scanned the crowd — and when his eyes landed on both of us standing together, he stopped walking for just a moment.
I couldn't read his face.
And that scared me more than anything David had said.
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What Mason did next — in front of that entire stadium — is something no one saw coming.
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