Free Against the Wind, Season 2, Episode 1 (Rising Storm) by Rebecca Zanetti

fault, damn it.”
    Her eyes widened.
    Had he ever sworn at her? Probably not. Crass language brought back bad memories of his childhood and his insane mother. “It’s my fault,” he whispered.
    She drew back. “Yours?”
    “Yes.” So much emotion rolled through him, he couldn’t breathe.
    Her shoulders sagged, and when she spoke her voice was gentle. “Bryce, we’ve talked about this. It’s not your fault.”
     “But it is. My family has problems. Mental ones. My mom’s in a psych ward, as you know. This, Danny, is my fault.”
    “It’s not. You know it’s not.”
    He did know that. But it didn’t matter. The words felt true. He was a man, he was a father, and this family was his responsibility. Worse yet, sometimes he felt embarrassment being in public with his autistic son when Danny made a scene.
    Which made him a horrific parent—just like his mother had been.
    His throat actually started to close.
    “Oh, Bryce.” She came toward him then, and not away. “I understand.”
    “No.” Nobody could understand.
    She smiled though her tears. “I mourn for the kid he could’ve been. The star athlete, the president, the famous talk show host.”
    Bryce paused.
    “That’s okay, and that’s normal. It’s all right to wonder.” She pressed both hands to his face, her face so full of love and understanding, he knew in that second he’d never truly deserve her. “I can’t stand the pitying looks I get sometimes, or the wide-eyed, trying-to-understand looks. Sometimes I wish it was all different.”
    “You do?” His voice cracked.
    “Sure.” She rubbed her thumbs along his jaw. “But then I look at Danny. I see his potential and his huge heart and creativity. I have no idea what he’ll do, but I know it’ll be inspired and amazing. God gave him to me, and God gave him to us. We’re lucky to have him…the real him.”
    Bryce swallowed. “I want to be okay with him.”
    “Do you love him?”
    “Yes.” Which was the absolute truth. He loved Danny with everything he’d ever be.
    Tara smiled. “So do I. Just the way he is. And he is who he is, not because of your mother or genetics. Danny is exactly who he’s supposed to be.”
    Now that was faith.
    Tara leaned in and kissed him. “There are so many miracles with Danny. Every week, there’s a miracle. How blessed we are to witness that.”
    “I love you,” Bryce said.
    “Yeah, I get that.” She chuckled. “I love you, too.”
    He slipped his arm over her shoulders, determined to do better. To be better. “Let’s go see if Danny wants to talk about his adventure, and then we need to talk to Carol about the door.”
    “Okay.” Tara turned toward the house with him. “Besides, it’s time for—oh no.”
    “What?”
    She sighed. “Danny’s been taking a Carosine supplement, and I think it has really helped with his memory. We’re out, and I was going to hit the pharmacy earlier to get more.”
    Bryce leaned down and kissed her head. “Tell you what? How about Carol and I go get the supplement and have a little talk? While we’re doing that, you and Danny can catch up.”
    Tara looked up and smiled. “That’s a plan.”
    “After we get back, I’d like to know what supplements you’re giving Danny and how they’re helping.” They reached the door, and Bryce called out to Carol. The little girl ran over and he explained their plan. With a happy hop, she hurried outside.
    Bryce smiled. “We’ll be back.” He left his wife and son, his step lighter than it had been in a long time.
    They took the long way to the pharmacy, during which he had Carol talk about her feelings. Her real feelings, the ones she wasn’t proud of. He could relate.
    “Your feelings are okay, sweetheart. It’s your actions, or what you do with the feelings, that you need to work on.” He glanced over at her, fully aware he could be talking to himself. “When you feel bad like that, you come talk to me. You don’t unlock the door for Danny to