from Meeting Dad by Brian Russell

313 Replies

click for more info

“Brian Russell,” the voice said. “Well I’ll be!”

“This is your son,” I said.

“Well, I surely know that! Hello son. What a pleasant surprise.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my mother slip out of the room.

I can’t begin to relate with any level of accuracy the balance of this conversation. I was nervous and aware of a tension in my body and a shaking in my voice I’d never experienced before.

He was thrilled to hear from me. His voice exuded warmth and he spoke in a slow and slightly Southern drawl. His interest in me was disarming and I found it difficult to hold on to my anger. I could hear that he was smiling, and now, despite the years of anger and hurt, I wanted nothing more than to see that smile.

As if he were reading my mind, he said, “Well, I’d sure love for you and your brother to come down and visit me. Meet my wife Janey, your sister Dana, and your younger brother Dirk.”

While it’s hard to say precisely what I’d expected from this phone call, I was certainly surprised that he’d so quickly offered to fly my brother and me down to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Just as soon as we could come.

I told him that I’d have to talk to Mom and Dad first, but that I’d very much like to visit. He told me to feel free to call him collect anytime and secured my phone number in order to be able to reject the collect charges and call me back directly.

As the call came to an end, I agreed that I would be in touch soon with an answer regarding his proposal that we visit. He ended the call with what I soon learned was a trademark phrase of his, “Well, good enough.”

And then he said, “I love you, son.”

I simply exhaled, “Bye.” Not “Bye, Dad.” Not “Bye, Bob.” I didn’t know what to call him.

–Brian Russell,
Meeting Dad
Accents Publishing

More from Meeting Dad and Brian Russell:

Brian RussellBrian Russell spent more than 20 years working in the theater as a director and producer of plays, musicals, and operas before shifting his focus toward writing. He was artistic director of Chicago’s American Theater Company from 1997-2002, where he directed more than a dozen shows. In 2007, he graduated with honors with a BGS from Roosevelt University, where his short story, “Rutherford” won the first Annual Keenan-Kara Writing Award. In May 2010, he graduated from Spalding University’s brief residency MFA in Writing Program. His prose, poetry, and critiques have recently been published at Public Republic and at the review review.

313 thoughts on “from Meeting Dad by Brian Russell”

  1. superkaya88

    431597 608995Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!? This web page is genuinely a walk-via for all with the data you required about this and didn know who to ask. Glimpse correct here, and you l certainly uncover it. 13178

    Reply ↓

  2. Pingback: modesta

  3. Pingback: ข่าวบอล

  4. Pingback: astro xo strain

  5. Pingback: buy packman disposable

  6. Pingback: รับติดตั้งโซล่าเซลล์

  7. Pingback: zumenon kaufen

  8. Pingback: Webb Schools

  9. Pingback: naga356

  10. Pingback: สมัครเน็ต ais

  11. Pingback: ทำสติ๊กเกอร์

  12. Pingback: เว็บบอลออนไลน์ ที่ดีที่สุด

  15. Pingback: apex legends cheats

  16. Pingback: Avawin สล็อตเว็บตรงจากต่างประเทศ

  17. Pingback: https://spartakrugby.ru/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/89271.html

  18. Pingback: เว็บปั้มไลค์

  23. CharlesgaumB

    canadian pharmacy prices [url=https://canadapharmast.com/#]canadian drugstore online[/url] canada discount pharmacy

    Reply ↓

  26. Pingback: concrete contractors

  205. Pingback: โคมไฟ

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *