Thanks to Kyle, Joseph and I got to Kansas through some cheap 1-way tickets.
There was no reason for me to be in California anymore, I had to go home.



"Travis, you made it. Let me take your bags."

"How are you doing mom? Are you okay?"

"I'm surviving, it's not like we didn't see it coming.
He wasn't doing so good for the past month or so."

"I didn't know that. Why didn't you let me know? I could have been here."

"This wasn't the right place for you to be.
Your father wanted you purse your dreams."

If only she had knew what happened while I was in California.
I certainly couldn't tell her now, it would only break her heart more.

"So, what still has to get done?"

"Don't worry about it Travis, I can handle everything.
Really the only thing I need you to do is to write the eulogy."

"No problem, it's the least I can do."



I can't believe how many people actually knew my dad.
The visitation was filled with people I had never even seen before.

Just as I thought that... Chloe walked in holding Zooey.

Wait, who is that guy? Is that guy with her?

Hold on. I know that guy! Damn, what was his name?

"Thanks for coming Chloe, you really didn't have to come."

"Of course I had too. I had to see my baby Joseph... and well, I missed you."

Chloe gives me a quick hug before turning her attention over to her two kids.

"I'm sorry to break up your little reunion but, long time no see Travis."

"No kidding. What are you doing here? Do you two know each other?"



"I wish. I just happened to stumble into this pretty lady while I was walking in.
I got to say, I'm quite impressed that you managed to get her.
I never would have predicted that when we first met."

"Um... well... we kinda just got a divorce."

"Really, you let that go? Man what were you thinking?
Your telling me that she is fair game right now?"



The look on Chloe's face - priceless. At least I knew he was joking around.

"So, what are you doing here then? I'm still really confused."

"The same reason everybody else is here, I was a friend of your dads."

Right then it clicked. My mind was blown. His name was Paul.

"Hey, Chloe could you watch the kids for a second?
I need to talk with Paul in private."

She nods her head and takes Joseph from my arms.



"Man, I need answer. Where do I even start?
How about... Did you know my dad when we first met?"

"Yeah, of course. Your dad didn't tell you?
He called me and begged me to bring you to California."

"No way. Your joking with me, right?"

"Not at all. You legitimately thought you hitch-hiked from Kansas to California?
And I thought I was gullible. Your pops wanted to make sure you were safe,
and well... he also wanted your Grandfather's Schwinn back.
He didn't trust you with it."

The Schwinn! I had totally forgotten about Grandpa's Schwinn.



"So you didn't sell the Schwinn!"

"No, I returned it back to your dad."

I can't believe it.
After all these years I thought my dad didn't care about cycling dream.
Now I'm finding out he was watching over me the entire time.

"You remember that Trek SL1000 I bought you. Your father's idea."

"Wow, I really needed to hear this. Thanks. But, one last question.
Why didn't my dad ever tell me about this? Why did he take it to the grave?
Wait... I got another one. Why didn't you tell me on the ride to California
that you were a friend of my dads?"

I still had more questions than I had answers.