cocked his head, the gesture an obvious sign of his willingness to listen. “Your father was deaf?”
Frank nodded. “He lost his hearing when he got sick in his early twenties.”
“He didn’t read lips?”
Frank shook his head.
“Gabriel learned sign language because of your father?”
A smile pulled the corner of Frank’s mouth as he signed, “I think he signed and spoke his first words at the same time. My father spoiled him and wanted to spend every moment with him. They spent so many weekends together I lost count.” His smile widened. “Dad loved him so much.”
“From the stories Gabriel has told me, he loved your father very much.” He reached out and squeezed Frank’s arm before resuming his signing. “When your son and I became friends, I didn’t sign this much.”
Those thick gray eyebrows twitched in surprise, maybe confusion.
“I was much better at reading lips and writing a note on my phone than I was at signing. But Gabriel didn’t judge me. He didn’t assume I couldn’t understand him because I couldn’t hear. And he didn’t assume I could sign because I was deaf. Do you know what your son did?”
The eagerness in the older man’s expression was unexpected.
“He was signing so fast I could barely understand half of what he was trying to say. But he didn’t push me to fit his speed, instead, he slowed down.”
Ben inched closer on the couch, hoping to emphasize how important his next words were. “I believe you want to understand your son. But rather than seeing him for the man he is, you’re trying to push him to fit into some version of who you think he should be and criticizing everything that isn’t a match to your vision. And that hurts.”
Frank lowered his brow and his lips thinned.
Ben waited for his words to sink in, then resumed signing once Frank made eye contact again. “Gabriel is very smart and generous. He’s patient, and his heart is so big I don’t know how it fits in his body.” He stopped and took a few breaths, feeling a sudden swell in his chest and burn in his eyes. “I love him. With everything that I am, I love him and will do anything for him. So if that means asking you to leave so there are only happy thoughts here, then that’s what I’ll do. So you tell me, do I need to do that?”
Frank vehemently shook his head. “No. Please.”
“I know you love him. You being here tells me that. I’m asking you.” Ben stopped signing and shook his head. “No, I’m begging you. Please. Life is too short to be angry. You’re lucky to still have each other. You’re lucky to love each other enough to care about what the other thinks. Accept him, as he is, for who he is. Your son.” Ben swiped at a tickle on his cheek. “Stop trying to force him to fit into who you think he is. Stop guessing and making judgments. There’s no one like him. So take the time to get to know him.” He clenched his hands as his heart raced. “When he comes back…because he will come back. You’re going to be a part of his life. You’re going to tell him how much you love him because he needs to hear that from you. And then you’re going to get to know all the amazing things about him you’ve missed. And you’ll discover the million little qualities and habits you both share. You’re going…”
He stopped signing when Frank pulled him into an embrace. He screwed his eyes shut and took a few deep breaths as his heart feverishly drummed in his chest and pounded in his ears. He hadn’t realized how much he was spiraling until Frank had stopped him from falling into the abyss.
He had to be strong. Steady. He searched for that inner warrior but the elusive bastard hid behind rocks of fear and worry. He needed Gabriel, his strength, his confidence and faith.
He pulled out of the embrace as Natalie approached with two mugs in each hand.
Thankfully, Natalie knew him well enough to call it a night soon after they finished their coffees, using the excuse of opening the shop for early morning order pickups.
More time passed without progress. Aidan continued making calls and working on the computer while Cal sat beside him on the couch, silently offering support. Nothing worked to settle his nerves. He blew out a shaky breath as Aidan bolted up from his