He hadn’t returned to his hometown in over 20 years. Before he met Cindy; before he made something out of himself; before Zack was born and certainly before his divorce.

Arthur had left his paternal home soon after turning 21 and never looked back. He rarely talked to his family any longer, too focused on his career. His father had begged him countless times to come visit, but Arthur always had an excuse to avoid it.

And now, there were no more second chances. His father was dead, and all the times he had refused to visit him were pouring into his mind. Arthur had barely been able to sleep since he received the call from his uncle, two nights ago, telling him about the tragedy.

All the missed opportunities he’d never get to have now obsessed him. His father had tried so hard to grow closer to his adult son, but Arthur had always put his career ahead of his family. He had learned that from his father, after all.

His own preteen son, Zack, was sitting next to him in the car, clutching his sketchbook as he always did. Zack had met his grandfather only a handful of times, and always when the old man came to visit them.

Zack wanted answers Arthur wasn’t ready to provide yet. Why hadn’t they seen his granddad more often? Had there been an argument, a fight, that distanced then before his birth? Arthur was exhausted, and still too lost in his own grief.

“Let’s not talk about this now, Zack” Arthur protested, but his son insisted.

“I want to know more about grandad” Zack replied with frustration.

Arthur could only focus on the road ahead, barely able to keep his eyes open. He hadn’t slept in 48 hours and it was hard keeping his eyes open. The grief was only making the situation worse.

Arthur distracted his son with details about his hometown, trying to change the subject by any means possible.

“The hotel we’ll be staying in was designed by my uncle, you know: Your grandfather’s brother. He’s a talented architect”

“I want to become an architect when...