Golden Glade Farewell Tour

Thankfully, Jhala found the words to explain when Reek simply couldn't. He simply listened  There was something on his mind, nagging -- tugging and jumping from synapse to synapse. There was so much Reek wanted to say, but was the moment right? Would the moment ever be right? With his health in steep decline, Reek knew this would be his only window to say what he needed to say. He thought perhaps the urgency would make this somehow easier.

It did not.

Reek moved toward his son, slowly and deliberate. He was unsure if would even accept his affection. For Reek was not a father, but only a passing acquaintance. It was a painful realization wrought of poor circumstance, bad luck, and terrible, terrible impulse control. He pressed his muzzle against the boy's neck and murmured, "It's just -- It's good to know you're safe."

He stepped back and thought carefully for a moment. This would be his last chance, his only chance, to make things right -- if that were even possible. "There's something I wanted to tell you a long time ago Tam, but I never got the chance," he said.