My Father Laughed When I Stood at the Gate With No Seat Assigned — But When Boarding Began, a Uniformed Escort Spoke My Name, and Everything He Believed About Me Collapsed

“Attention passengers traveling to Boston,” she announced, “we will begin boarding shortly. Please have your passes ready.”

Jonathan and his family stepped forward immediately, instinctively drawn toward the front like iron filings to a magnet, while I remained where I was, my backpack light, my hands empty, my name not yet called, and for a moment, the old doubt tried to surface, the quiet voice that wondered whether I had misjudged something, whether confidence without confirmation was simply denial dressed up as hope.

Then someone stopped beside me.

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