The Traitor Has Arrived
Youve shown up when nobody was expecting it! bellowed David Pembroke. Then you can go right back to the gallows!
Dad, what on earth? stammered Andrew Whitaker. Ive been away for twenty years and you spring this surprise on me!
If it were up to me, Id have met you with a belt! David grabbed at his waistcoat. But never mind, well sort it out now.
Easy, easy! Andrew took a step back. Im not a fiveyearold, I can answer you!
Thats your nature! David snarled, leaving his waistcoat alone. Attacking the weak, fleeing the strong, cheating the good, and serving the wicked!
So, whats really got you angry? What are you accusing me of? Andrew shrugged. Even if Id done anything wrong, twenty years have passed! Time has healed it.
Easy for you to say when youve done nothing! Of course you want everyone to forgive you. I, however, have no forgiveness to give! declared David.
What could I possibly have done? I was at the naval academy, thinking why my parents signed me up as a traitor and banned me from coming home! And you never replied to any of my letters! I kept writing!
Oh, you didnt know? David asked with a sneer.
Andrews expression screamed I dont get it, and he tried to clarify, but the shouting match between father and son was cut short by the mothers interjection.
Stop it, both of you! shouted Margaret Whitfield. Youve made a mess of this! Get him out, Mike, before he ruins our reputation! Shame on our grey hair!
Andrew froze, as solid as a stone. Margaret added,
If God gave me strength, Id have grabbed you by the throat! Id have used all my might! Looks like the Almightys aiming a slingshot at us! she pointed at the bruise under Andrews eye.
Well done, someone! David chuckled. He deserves a handshake!
Parents, whats this? Andrew shouted. Have you lost your minds? Ive been away for twenty years! Whats with this welcome?
Who sent you this nonsense? David asked. Well throw you out, and Ill thank him later!
How would I know? Andrew retorted. I was on a coach heading home when the local lad Pete recognized me and rushed over to say hello!
Just as the coach stopped, a young lout leapt out, stared straight into my face, spat, and bolted. By the time I collected myself, he was gone.
What a mysterious hero! David smiled. We should ask Pete who gave you that shove!
Dad, is that all you care about? Andrew yelled. Just because Ive been away for twenty years, you think I can just disappear?
And what good is a traitor here? Margaret replied.
Why am I a traitor?
Because! shouted someone from the kitchens depths.
And whos this brave soul? Andrew growled.
A figure stepped into the light.
That lad gave me a proper knuckle sandwich! Andrew pointed at the youngster.
Good on you, grandson! David beamed. You didnt miss a beat!
Grandson? Andrew recoiled.
Exactly! Margaret shielded him. Your son! Abandoned!
I have no son! Andrew protested, his voice shaking. He never existed! If he did, Id know!
Remember when you ran away from the village twenty years ago! David shouted, his voice cracking.
***
Andrew never called his departure a run. It was a planned leave. He simply left a bit early, for a few reasons.
He had to travel far, almost across the whole country, to attend a maritime academy. The scholarship would barely cover a modest life, and asking his parents for money across the country was awkward. They could send food, but how would they ship it?
The second reason: just before he left, the village was plagued by an unhealthy bout of matchmaking. Had he lingered a week or two longer, he might never have gotten away. Hed rather escape the endless parade of eager brides.
If you ask why? the answer is simple:
I want my life tied to the sea! I dont intend to stay home while Im off on a trek, gathering nothing but gossip!
The sea entered Andrews life by chance. After school he first served his country, then the Royal Navy. A few years at sea made him realise land wasnt his scene.
When he returned, he already had a letter directing him to a technical college near his posting, training to become a ships engineer. But before starting, he decided to have a little fun a phrase the English use for a wild spree.
Young men after the Navy? They dont need a brake; they just lose consciousness. The rest of the time is one adventure after another, whether at a pub, a backyard brawl, or a flirtatious encounter.
Andrew, now finally grasping a bit of sense, watched those partyharders. They return from service as proud eagles, ready to overturn the world, only to end up shackled to a heavy load wife, children, a farm.
He didnt want that fate. No matter how merry the revelry, he kept his trousers buttoned up, even sewing his own belt before stepping out.
There were a few hiccups in keeping his secret, but better to suffer there than to be tormented forever.
His reputation grew among the village maidens: a young, promising lad with a clear plan, not tainted by any scandal.
He was besieged from all sides invitations, sweet promises, and delegations to his parents, hoping to seal alliances.
Seeing this, Andrew realised he couldnt hold the line. Either theyd push him down or sway his parents. So he fled the hamlet a month and a half early.
As they say, Better safe than sorry!
He arrived at the port, arranged cargo, got a bunk in the sailors hostel, enrolled in the course, sent a note to his parents that hed arrived, settled, and was doing fine.
His parents replied with a furious letter, calling him a traitor, a coward, and every other insult you can think of because paper holds all grudges. They even wrote that he no longer had parents, that there was no home for him, and that a bloke like him belonged in the deep sea.
Andrew was baffled, writing home for explanations, receiving not even a telegram in return.
He could have busted out, returned, sorted it, but duty called study first! He kept writing, day after day.
When he finally got his diploma, a single, halftorn note arrived from home:
May you drown! Traitor! Coward!
Signed not by mum or dad, but by David Pembroke and Margaret Whitfield.
It never became clear why, but it was obvious that no one was waiting for him at home.
He signed a navy contract and went back to sea. About twice a year he would dock on the mainland, send another letter, then head back out, stopped waiting for replies.
At forty, he finally cared more about discovering which of his parents lies from twenty years ago had bitten him than about any new deployment.
The reunion turned out to be anything but warm, and full of surprises.
What were you running from? Andrew mocked. From the fact you never married me off properly? Did you think I hadnt seen you and half the village conspiring to find a convenient match?
I saw the gifts, heard the promises! You knew I was leaving to study, yet you still tried to rope me in!
We just wanted a good match for you, but you got yourself a Natalie and ran off! Margaret shouted, her tone sour. Who did you find? An orphan!
Shed even come to us when you left, asking for advice about a child she thought shed have with you. And we? Wed toss our own grandson to whatever fate!
When did she show up? Andrew asked. I wrote to you a month after I left, and you told me not to come back!
Natalie told us shed written to you about a pregnancy! David replied. And you told her to get an abortion and disappear from your life!
Fascinating, Andrew said. What about after you banished me from the house?
We took her in! Shes an orphan, no one else. She even carries our grandsons blood! Look, we raised Stanley!
Call Natalie over, Andrew demanded. Lets sort this out!
Theres nobody to sort with, Stanley answered. My mother died ten years ago. Grandparents raised me!
Brilliant! Andrew shook his head. And the kid met his dad eyetoeye!
You killed my pregnant mother! Stanley shouted. At least my grandparents were decent people!
So youre all right, and Im the traitor!
And a coward! David added. You fled responsibility and sent a poor girl for an abortion!
Natalie told us shed given birth to a son! Margaret interjected. And you called her a liar in your last letter!
Did you see the letter? Andrew asked.
Unlike you, we believed the poor girl! Margaret said.
Fine, if youre all about truth, lets do a DNA test! Andrew suggested. Otherwise I cant prove my innocence, and you could even crucify me at the gate!
The test came back negative. Andrew handed the results to his parents.
Clear as day? he asked. Natalie knew I wasnt the father, yet she came to you.
The problem isnt that you believed a strangers lie, its that you accepted that your son was a coward and a traitor!
For twenty years you never forgave me, and now I dont need your pardon. I might pity you, but I dont. So farewell! You said goodbye to me twenty years ago, after all.
Andrew left, and Stanley stayed, milking the old folks and insisting he was their beloved grandson, that the test was wrong, that his mother was a saint.
In the end, he went to his mothers side, and thats that.
