Sometimes when I call my daughter on the phone I ask her, “Where’s my boy?” I hear a tiny voice say, “I’m right here, Papa!” It’s my grandson letting me know I’m on speaker and he’s listening in.

My grandson is 8 years old, very intuitive and curious and over the years has asked my daughter questions about where I am and when I’m coming home. Similar to what we told her so many years ago she tells him, “Hopefully, soon!” You see, my grandson desperately wants me to take him fishing.

Anthony Brian, Summer 2026

He’s heard stories of how I took his mom fishing when she was a little girl and now looks forward to the day where I can bring him to my old secret spots. His mom bought him a fishing pole and some tackle and we talk about the best lures to catch that ever elusive, “big one.” He practices his casting in the backyard and brags to me about how far he can send the little weight sailing through the air that’s tied to the end of his line.

My grandson often asks his mom when I’m coming home and taking him fishing. His mom would cautiously explain that we were waiting for some good news and hopefully real soon. He takes the answer in stride and accepts it with his child like innocence.

The day we received the court’s decision my daughter had gotten the call from my attorneys. My grandson was by her side, as he often is, paying close attention, as he often does. My daughter later told me that her eyes began to tear-up as my lawyers–through tears of their own–told her that we had won and the judge overturned my conviction!

My daughter was sniffling and crying tears of joy. Of course, my grandson was paying close attention and asked her, “Are you okay, mum?” Turning from the phone she responded: “That good news we were waiting for about Papa? We just got one day closer.” Without a word my grandson left the room. My daughter continued to listen to my attorneys who were explaining what to expect next. With a calm and determined domineer typical of my grandson he reentered the room. He had tightly gripped in his little hand his fishing pole.

Ham and Cheeeeese

With his innocent heart and mind, all my grandson heard was that Papa was coming home to take him fishing. My grandson, like so many in my family are eagerly awaiting my release and my return to their lives. Desperate for our family to be made whole again. I too am waiting. And as the days drag on and more and more is taken from our family, the pain of loss and what is being missed is always on our minds. I just want to be with my family and to take my grandson fishing. It doesn’t feel like a lot to ask for. When is enough, enough?

ODC?