I forgave my Father today.

He'd come by Haven House to visit me. He brought along some new paints and canvases with him as peace offerings-- I suppose.

But he didn't need to bother. I see everything he was doing now was for my own good.

Sure in the beginning, after my first session, when my body still convulsed from the electrical current, I was hurt and confused. I hated him for doing it to me-- for abandoning me to the "enemy."

Now, after all the work that Dr. Mince and the staff have done, I see

clearly-- for the first time-- that all my Dad wanted was what was best for me. He knew all the suffering that my promiscuous lifestyle had brought me and he didn't abandon me-- he was saving me. Saving me from the lust that had corrupted my soul.

Donna said she would show my new piece to her boss at the gallery who apparently was genuinely impressed with my level of work.

I was mixing up some colors when my Dad walked in.

He stood in the doorway, looking a little afraid. "Son..."

I put down my paints, walked over to him and threw my arms around him.

For a few moments he didn't hug back. He just stood there, stiff and ridged. Then crying, he slowly lowered the paints and canvases and hugged me back. He held me tighter and tighter as if he was lost at sea and I was the only thing keeping him afloat. I did the same.

The years we'd spent apart disappeared in that doorway. We were father and son once more. The wounds healed, the pain was gone.

We were just like I always dreamed we would be. Father and son.