The first time I started to question my dad's actions wasn't until I entered university. People were complicated, things changed, and on and on you could go--but it still surprised me, like a cup of cold water.

Pa worked in a record label company. I looked up to all of his clients; musician rookies who all broke into the industry thanks my dad's hard work. Pa redefined what was possible, and he'd guide you down the entire path to achieve your full potential.

One day though, I was waiting for longer than usual outside of his record label studio. It wasn't the first time Pa left me hanging, though he'd gotten better over the years. I soon dragged myself up to his studio. He'd probably lost track of time.

The thick rug carpets muffled my shoes. Everyone else had left. I stopped in front of Dad's personal office. The gold plate of Pa's name reflected my eyes as we leaned in to listen.

Pa was singing, but it was like nothing he'd written before.

I'll be fine without you by my side

Not like the nights have seen me cry

I hope you're happy

Wherever you are

I'll picture you at the sea

Under the summer stars...

Then he abruptly stopped.

His voice floated from behind the door. "No, that's not gonna work. Man, what was that kid thinking? No one's going to fall for this sappy stuff besides 11 year old girls! But how to fix this is the problem..."

I twisted open the door and poked my head in. "Hi, Dad. When are we going home? I thought you wanted take-out tonight."

Dad ran his hand through his hair, looking at his watch. "Ah, sorry about that, Jo. You're right. Let me finish up here."

"That song, you didn't write it, right?" I asked.

Dad laughed. "Never in a million years! It was by one of the guys here. I'm afraid he still needs practice with making something more original. Just planning to give him some feedback."

Feedback. It was a Pa thing. I didn't know if it made me less of a man to say I preferred my Mom's genuine, blind encouragement over my Pa's skeptical eye.

"The simplest songs can be effective," I said, taking the rational stance. "It's sweet. If it's meant to be a love song, then nothing's wrong with it."

He shook his head, wagging a finger. "You don't know him like I do, Jo. He's driven. He's not sappy, nor is he sentimental. Besides, I'm not setting him up for failure. I'm better than that."

I didn't mind when he butted in to give a suggestion here or poke around there. I'd viewed it as nothing but fatherly encouragement. This time felt different though.

This wasn't a new side of Pa, but it filled in the knowledge gaps I didn't know were there. It made me see him from a different angle. Puberty, for all its hormones, hadn't smashed the perfect illusion of my parents like it had for my friends. I was content with brushing off the small slip-ups to embrace the dad I loved. Still, it was the first memory that clung to me as I encountered new people. I started to wonder if I hadn't known Pa as my father, but someone else. Would that have changed what kind of a person I saw him as? Or would I have known a completely different person, period?

Disclaimer: This is written from a viewpoint of a character whose identity I can't disclose. ;)