Page 38 of Get A Fix

“Sherman is genetically predisposed to some things he didn’t want to pass on, and since my mother’s pregnancy with me was tough, they decided they would both focus on me and themselves, and between the two of them, I could not have asked for more balanced, loving parents.”

“Do you call Sherman Dad?”

“I called him Papa when I was little because that’s what he called his, and when I got older, Pop. He really enjoys Pop.”

“And so you grew up having no idea about your biological father?”

“I mean, I knew of him, his name, but that was it.”

“Until when?”

“Until he called out of the blue and wanted to meet me. I was living in LA at the time, working as a waiter, struggling actor and all that, and he was going to be in town on business, so I agreed.”

“You must have been curious.”

“I was. I remember the first thing I did was thank him for my college tuition.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he was happy the money helped me and that he was sorry he hadn’t reached out sooner.”

“I bet it was awkward.”

“You have no idea,” he said with a roll of his eyes.

“Do you look like him?”

“No. I look like my mother’s grandfather more than anyone.”

“He must have been a handsome man.”

“Smooth talker.”

I shrugged.

“Yeah, so, he wanted to get to know the son he didn’t raise.”

“Because?”

“I think mostly because his own kids didn’t necessarily like him. But when you don’t make time for people, how are they supposed to care about you?”

“So he was busy making money, and all his kids grew up without him being around.”

“That’s right. It’s very ‘Cat’s in the Cradle.’”

I chuckled. “There’s a reference I haven’t heard for years.”

“I suspect your mother listened to the same seventies music as mine did.”

“Yeah,” I said, grinning. “Do you think Mr. Walder thought that maybe he could have a redo with you?”

“I don’t think he had any illusions about that. I mean, we both knew we were never gonna be close, but whenever he was in town on business, he always took time out of his schedule to see me and buy me dinner.”

“He didn’t offer to buy you a house or something?”

“No. I made it clear from the beginning that I didn’t want anything from him at all.”

“What did your mom and pop say?”