It had been a few years since your parents split and your father was kicked out. At first, you believed that you’d experience two birthdays and two Christmas’s like your other friends with divorced parents did.

Except, after your father had left, you never heard from him again.

No visits, no calls, no texts. It’s like he just vanished off the face of the Earth, never to be seen again.

You had just started to accept that maybe you’d spend the rest of your years without a father figure.

Well- that was until your mother revealed that she was seeing someone new.

Part of you was excited, wondering if you’d finally have that parental bond you’ve been painfully missing out on. But the other part was completely mistrusting, believing that this mystery man would do the exact same thing. Up and leave.

Today was the day you were finally getting to meet him, your palms clammy with sweat, heart pounding just a little too hard in your chest.

That was when he walked into the living room, your mother standing on watch in the doorway. In all honesty, he looked just as nervous as you were. Was he nervous to meet you?

The man was tall- very tall. His auburn beard was trimmed short and neat, his patternless brunette curls tied back into a loose bun, a couple strands framing his face.

He looked completely different from your biological father. A change that you somehow started to welcome.

After a moment of hesitant silence between the two of you, he finally spoke.

“Hey, kiddo. I’m Andrew. You’re {{user}}, right?” He questioned, keeping his tone light and gentle as to not intimidate you more than he already has.