Work Text:
To Dad
Wendy says when verbal communication is hard, that writing down my thoughts and giving you a letter might be easier. I kinda messed around with the idea in my head for a while before actually writing this down, because I thought it was stupid. Maybe because I thought we could just talk it out but talking actually makes me want to throw up more than the idea of being cringy on paper.
I just want to know if everything's okay with you and Mom. I don't think you realize but I can hear you arguing at night, you aren't very quiet. Please don't stay together because of me if you don't like each other, I’d rather you be happy than things being like this. (I don't want you to talk to me about this, so please never bring it up. You can respond to this in your own writing if you want, but I don't care.)
From, Grant
—
Dear Grant
I love you kiddo, and I’m happy Wendy suggested this. Sorry it took me so long to respond, it took me some time to think.
I’m sorry that me and your Mom are making you worried. I can’t promise everything will be okay, I wish I could, but we both love you so much and if something happens we’ll talk to you. You're an amazing kid and I’m proud of you.
Love, Your Dad.
—
To Dad
The writing thing is still weird to me but it kinda helped last time. So I’m doing it again. I’m sorry I yelled at you today about the math thing, I wasn't mad at you, math is frustrating. I don't know how to not get so mad. It's not personal.
From Grant
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Dear Grant,
Thank you for apologizing, Bud. I know it's not personal, math is hard, I’m not the best at it myself! I think you should try to ask your math teacher about it? If that's too much we can always try again. You're doing great and you’ll ace your test!
Proud of you and I love you.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
Can you stop coming into my room when I’m talking to friends? It bothers me and I’d rather not have to pause my game.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Is there a way that I can know when you're on the phone so I can avoid walking in on you? Maybe we get you a Do Not Disturb sign like a hotel room?
Love you, bud.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
That's fine, I’d like that. Thanks Dad. Could you tell Mom too?
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Of course!
I was wondering if there was a way that the two of us could do something together? I know you aren't a big fan of what I come up with. We could always play one of your video games! Let me know, I’d love to spend time with you.
Love you, Dad.
—
To Dad
Could we go camping again? I liked doing that. I know Mom doesn't like it, but I enjoyed it. I’m sorry I avoid you so much, I don't mean to be so rude. I just feel so tired all the time.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I’d love to do camping! Your Mom has a business trip coming up soon, we could go then?
Don’t worry about it kiddo, I don't think you're rude. I’m sorry that you feel like that, let me know how I can be here for you.
I love you, Dad.
—
To Dad
I’d like that. Could we go the site we used to go to?
I want to escape for a while. I heard Mom talking on the phone with Grandma, I think I’m stressing her out. I don't mean to.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Of course we can!
It’s not your responsibility to worry about your Mom’s problems, kiddo. We know you never do it on purpose, and we love and want the best for you.
Love, Your Dad
—
To Dad
Are you and Mom getting a divorce? Please be honest.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I’m sorry everything with me and your Mom is stressing you out, I want to be honest with you but me and Mom need some time to figure things out. I promise everything will be okay, and no matter what we love you.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
I’m sorry, I was the one who knocked over your trophy thing. I didn't mean to, I was looking for a pencil. Please don't be mad.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Thank you for being honest, kiddo. I’m not mad, it was an accident. I love you more than any stupid football trophy.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
Can you ask Mr. Oak to stop talking about me helping coach at soccer practice, it bothers me. I don't think he means it badly but I don't like him talking about me.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I will of course, I don’t get why it upsets you but I respect it and I’ll talk to him about it. Mr. Oak can be a bit much, I know.
I love you, Dad.
—
To Dad
Nick said hes home alone this weekend, I know it's almost Christmas, but could he stay over? He's alone a lot and I can tell it bothers him.
If not it's okay, I just wanted to ask.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Of course he can, Nick is a good kid. I’m proud of you for being such a good friend, Grant. I know this Christmas will be tough because you have two different houses. You're a strong kid, I love you and you're doing amazing.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
Is it okay to not like girls? Is that a sin?
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I don't know exactly what you mean, but I’ll love and support you no matter what, kiddo, and God will love you fully regardless of who you are.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
Can you not talk to me on the way to school? I’m having a rough week and it's making it harder.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Of course Buddy, whatever you need. Dad loves you.
Love, Dad
—
To Dad
Are you intentionally flirting with Mr. Oak? Just wondering.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
Am I doing what intentionally???
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
Lark and Sparrow are pretty positive you and their Dad are hitting on each other. I told them you don't like men but they said that you're in denial.
I’d like to think it's them being weird like always but I’m starting to suspect you might not realize that Mr. Oak is flirting with you.
I don't like talking about this as much as you do. But bets have been made.
From Grant
—
Dear, Grant
I had a good and thoughtful conversation with Mr. Oak, and I think he's a very kind man. You kids shouldn't snoop around your parent's business.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
TJ owes Nick 20 bucks, that's all I’ll say.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I know things are different with the new addition of Henry and his family being around more. I want you to know that we can always talk, and change is tough. I love you very much and I’m here for you, I’m in your corner.
Love, Dad
—
To Dad
Am I too much?
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
You will never be too much, buddy. We all love you deeply, and I know things are tough and stuff is changing, but I’m here for you. Your issues don't make you hard to deal with, you're a great kid. You're trying your best and that’s all I will ask of you.
I love you so much, Your Dad
—
To Dad
Thank you. I love you too.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I'm not mad at you for anything, I promise. I’m sorry I got riled up, you didn't do anything wrong. You're amazing, Grant.
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad,
It's okay, I’m sorry for yelling too. I want to be better at all of this. Everything is so hard though, and I’m tired. I feel like I’m at my limit, I need some alone time.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
You're an amazing kid, keep doing what you're doing. He didn't see the good in you, and that's on him. Things will get better, I know it doesn't feel like that right now.
Henry says “He’s just a guy.”
Take that as you will?
Love, Dad.
—
To Dad
Thanks dad, sorry for being dramatic and mopey. Terry told me to stop saying “Romance is dead” every few seconds, and I’m trying.
But I think I’ll be fine after I binge watch gilmore girls again.
From Grant
—
Dear Grant,
I love you so much, I know school is tough right now with exams and college applications, but you're doing great. Keep it up!!
Love, Dad.
—
Dear Dad,
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. College has been way better than expected, I thought it would be fun to bring back the letter thing we used to do. I miss you a lot, and I don't think I would be able to handle all of this if it weren't for you.
Tell Henry I say hello and that I hope he's doing alright. Love you!
Love, Grant.
—
Dear Grant,
I love you kiddo! I’m so happy college is going great! We all miss you back home, but I hope everything is going great. Henry says hello back and he says that when you're home for the holidays he’ll make that vegetable stir fry you like so much. Can't wait to see you!!
Love, Dad.
—
Dear Dad,
I don't think I can marry Marco. I love him but I don't know if I can do it. What if I’m not good enough?
From, Grant.
—
Dear Lincoln & Grant,
Love you both! Happy Birthday Link from Grandpa! Can’t wait to see you both in a few weeks, tell Marco that I can't wait to hear about the new job. Henry says he’s excited to see you guys as well!
Love, Grandpa/Dad.
—
Dear Dad,
I miss you. It's been a few months since you passed, I don't really know what to do with myself. I’m still going because Link needs taking care of, but everything hurts. I love you and I hope you're doing okay up there. I know you can't respond to this, but Marco said it's healthy to write out my feelings.
Maybe that makes this ironic, because when I was 12 I wrote you letter saying that my therapist said the same thing. But now you can't read what I have to say anymore. I hate that this happened, that death took you so early. It isn't fair.
You made me who I am, and maybe I’ll never be as good as a Dad as you were to me, but I don't know if anyone could live up to that. You used to talk about how your Father was the best one ever, but I think you surpassed him, you're the best one a guy could ask for. I wish I had told you that more when you were alive.
Love, Your son.