Nearly one whole year has passed Without you coming near. And sometimes I have wondered What keeps the distance here. Maybe anger isn't all of it. Maybe there's another weight— Maybe living with what you did Is why you stay away. You told your stories far and wide, Gave others your account. But having people take your side Can't change what you know now. They weren't there inside that room. They didn't see that day. You can convince the world around you— But is that why you stay away? Is that why you stay away? Because here you'd have to face The father who knows the truth about Every choice that brought us to this place? Maybe it isn't that you won't Come look me in the eye. Maybe it's that you can't— Because you know the reasons why. Is that why you stay away? You know she gave you all that money. You know why I said, “No more.” You know how you took it to the county, That you fought dirty and what you fought for. You know when those CC&Rs Suddenly came into play. You know everything you did, and why— Is that why you stay away? You know the things you accused her of. You know the things you said. You know the calls that followed When your anger is what led. You know the stories others heard Were only what you chose to say. And coming here means answering for that — Is that why you stay away? Is that why you stay away? Because distance lets you hide From questions you can't answer When you're sitting by my side? You can tell the story somewhere else And never hear me ask you why. But here you'd have to face me. You'd have to look me in the eye. Maybe it isn't that you won't. Maybe it's that you can't. Is that why you stay away? If you ever walk back through that door, We won't pretend it didn't occur. There are questions that need answers. There are truths that must be heard. Why did you say the things you said? Why take it to the county then? Why produce those CC&Rs? Why pull the others in? Why turn anger into something That cost so many people more? Why keep digging deeper When you could have simply stopped before? Coming back won't mean erasing Everything that brought us here. It won't mean we trade the truth away Because we're scared you'll disappear. So is that why you stay away? You know we didn't shut the door— Is it because walking through it means You couldn't avoid what you've done anymore? Is that why you stay away Where your story can survive Without sitting with your father And looking in his eyes? I don't expect you'll come back now. There's too much pride in the way. Too much truth you'd have to face Too many things you'd have to say. And I've made peace with where we are. I'm not expecting you to find a way I'll spend my life loving the ones Who put me first every day Maybe you've chosen to live with distance. Maybe that's become your plan. To exclude us from your lives for good— Maybe you tell yourselves you can. But maybe it's not that you won't. Maybe it's that you can't. You can stay away another year. You can stay away for ten. Distance doesn't change what happened. Time won't rewrite where we've been. We aren't chasing after answers. We're not begging you to stay. I'm guessing the truth is just too hard to face Is that why you stay away?
