I was sitting in my kitchen, awaiting a phone call that was never made. It had been 3 arduous years since my wife and I split up. But today was the day of reconciliation, or so I thought. We had exchanged a couple emails over the last few weeks. Pleasantries, mostly. I asked of our daughter and learned she had and broke up with her first boyfriend. Another in a long list of things I missed out on as a parent.
The truth is I never really was cut out for parenting. Or companionship for that matter. I loved my running shoes more than my wife, the trails near my apartment more than my child. That was my fault. The accident that left me paralyzed from waste down changed everything.
I took inventory of my life and realized I have more than a few regrets. I listed those regrets in a long-winded apology to my ex-wife. She consoled me. And she gave me hope, saying that she was single once again. The thought of rekindling our love brought tears to my eyes. She said she would call me today and we would set up a coffee date.
I sat in my kitchen waiting for a call that was never made. At 10pm I decided to call it a night. What I wouldn't give to use my legs on those trails once more.