Charlie is our guest writer today

(Charlie is one of my 13-year-old sons; he gave me permission to post this)

I had a conversation with my dad today
It was in his car
When my mom was at UPS

I told him about my concert
It was nice
I told him I missed him

I had a conversation with my dad today
It lasted for 30 minutes, probably
Looking at the sky, I hoped he was there

I wanted to hug him again
It was like I could see his face
I put down my glasses so I could see him through my tears

I didn’t want him to be mad at me 
For getting my ears pierced
And nail polish from CVS
I really hoped I didn’t upset him by saying that

I had a conversation with my dad today
It was scary
So I told him my fears

I had a conversation with my dad today
It was a bit weird
When I left the car I was so happy

But I was terror stricken.

I ran back through the snow and concrete

I had more to tell him

I put down my glasses and 
turned off the car lights and 
cried and
looked at the sky and
hoped he was there

I had a conversation with my dad today
It felt the same when I returned
I hoped he wouldn’t get out of the car

I told him I got Doc Martens for Christmas
It was good
They’re nice boots and very useful

That was what I needed to say

I said I’d talk to him again
If I don’t – 
He needs to be there – 
- he can hear me anyway

I had a conversation with my dad today
I told him about all the scenery
Burlington has such nice old houses

The lake is frozen over
It looks totally white

We’re going to sell those guitars 
I know you tried to
One of your friends found an auction house

I tried so hard to not end it;
I had to tell him more

So just in case he couldn’t see me
I kept narrating

But I had run out of things to say

I needed a moment with him 
And he was a cloud

Too far away
It was straining my neck to look at the right angle
I had a conversation with my dad today

Charlie Paley, February 2025