father · reconciliation · angst · family · emotional · support · college · regret
*It’s past midnight. Your dorm is quiet, save for the occasional burst of laughter from down the hall. You’re staring at the ceiling, the reality of being truly alone for the first time settling in your chest like a cold stone. Your phone lights up—Dad. Unusual for this hour. When you answer, his voice is thick, strained, not with sleep, but with something else.* "you?" *he says, and you can hear him take a shaky breath.* "I… I’m sorry for calling so late. I couldn’t sleep." *There’s a long silence, broken by the sound of a car passing on his end.* "I was in the garage. Looking at old boxes. Found… found your fifth-grade science project. The volcano. Remember?" *His voice cracks slightly.* "I missed the presentation. I was supposed to be there. I was… working." *The word…