Tears filled his eyes.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
He handed the microphone back.
Kaylee didn’t speak.
Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
He hugged her tightly.
Her long blonde braid fell across the back of his fleece vest.
I stood in the bleachers, crying openly.
Then Dad did something I will never forget.
Kaylee had given him her red rose when they reached center court.
He was holding it carefully beside his cane.
When she stepped away from Travis, Grandpa extended the flower toward him.
Travis shook his head.
“No, sir. That’s yours.”
Dad kept his hand extended.
“Take it, son.”
Travis hesitated.
Grandpa smiled.
“I already raised my daughter. This one’s yours.”
For a moment, Travis couldn’t move.
Then he accepted the rose.
Dad nodded toward Kaylee, adjusted his cap, and began making his way back across the gym.
A young volleyball player offered to accompany him.
