Chapter 510 Big Girls Don't Cry:>41

• He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts as we listened to the sound of crickets chirring in the hot, still air.
• "I hope we brought you up well, son, and I know you'll repay us by doing the same for your own children. I'm proud of you for being who you are, Darryl, not what you are; and even if you weren't my son already, I'd welcome you into this family to be my son, and Lena's husband. Take care of her, Darryl; I know I've said this before, but I want to say it again; she's waited her whole life for you, don't let her down. Pretty soon you're going to be the man of the family; I know it's an old-fashioned idea, but it's true nevertheless, and I need you to be strong for your mum, for Lena, and for Elisabeth and the children; they're all going to need you in some way, even if it's just to be there for them. With your mother, though, don't leave her here alone when I'm gone; she says she wants to stay here after...you know, but she'll be here alone, and I won't do that to her; take her home, son, she's going to need you, all of you, but most especially she's going to need Lena and little David."
• I listened to this with tears running down my cheeks. I finally got that dad was saying goodbye, and it hurt more than I thought anything could ever hurt. Dad saw, and reached over to rub my cheek.