Mason returned home for the summer, anticipating the usual awkwardness with his distant father. However, when he saw his dad teaching the neighbor’s child about fishing, he was struck by a mix of jealousy and curiosity. Why was his father, who had always been distant with him, suddenly so affectionate and patient with someone else?

As Mason pulled into his parents’ driveway, a swirl of emotions hit him. It had been months since he’d been home, and while some part of him felt comforted by the familiar surroundings, he also braced himself for the tension that often lingered between him and his dad.

Upon arriving, he noticed the neighbor’s son dribbling a basketball outside, sparking memories of his younger days when he’d do the same. Those were the simpler times before things had become strained between him and his father. Inside, his mother greeted him warmly, and Mason felt a brief sense of relief.

He spotted his father, Chuck, in his usual spot—glued to a war documentary. Their brief exchange was typical; Dad’s critical comments about Mason’s appearance were as familiar as ever. It was clear that the emotional distance between them remained.

The next morning, Mason heard voices outside and looked out the window to see his father with the neighbor’s son, Henry. To Mason’s surprise, his dad was smiling and patiently explaining fishing to the boy. This side of his father, so gentle and attentive, felt foreign to Mason, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. Why had his father never shown him this kind of warmth?

At breakfast, Mason mentioned what he’d seen, and his mother explained that Chuck had been spending a lot of time with Henry lately. She said it was because Henry’s father, a man Chuck had once served with in the military, had died, and Chuck had promised to look after Henry. But Mason couldn’t shake the feeling that his father was trying to be the father he had never been to him.

Mason later went to the lake, hoping to find his father and Henry. When he arrived, he found his dad sitting alone, tears on his face. As Mason approached, he asked what had happened, and Chuck explained that he had become frustrated with Henry during their fishing trip, which had led to the boy leaving early. Chuck, feeling like a failure, admitted that he couldn’t be the kind of father Henry needed. Mason was taken aback, realizing that his father’s emotions stemmed from a promise made long ago, to take care of a fallen friend’s son.

The revelation softened Mason’s anger, and as he tried to comfort his father, it was clear that they were beginning to understand each other more. Later, Mason decided to invite Henry to play basketball, and to his surprise, Henry was thrilled. When they returned home, Chuck had set up a basketball hoop for Henry, and they spent the evening together, playing and laughing.

For the first time, Mason felt like he was part of the moment. He had his father’s attention, and although it was through a shared experience with someone else, it was a step toward bridging the gap between them.