A sleek automobile pulled up beside a quaint little florists shop, nestled in the heart of London. The shop, newly opened, had quickly become the talk of the town, drawing customers from even the neighbouring counties for its exquisite floral arrangements.
«Please, pick out the loveliest bouquet you havethe grandest one. Ive just become a father!» beamed the young man, his face alight with joy as he addressed the pretty florist.
On his way to the hospital, Edward pictured the moment he would cradle his newborn son for the first time, vowing to be the father he himself had never known. Memories of his own father weighed heavily upon him. The only bright recollection from his childhood was being lifted high into the air by a tall, broad-shouldered mana fleeting rush of fear and delight. But soon after, William Hawthorne abandoned his family, leaving Edward and his mother not just heartbroken, but homeless.
It had all begun when his mothers friend, Victoria Sinclair, started visiting often. A nurse by profession, she would sometimes arrive with a bottle of medicinal spirits, brushing off Edwards mothers mild protests with a laugh.
«Oh, come now! Whats the harm? Its just to whet the appetite,» Victoria would say, as Edwards mother frowned. «Youve such a splendid husband! A man like that ought to be cherished, adoredloved as he deserves.»
One evening, Victoria invited the family to her birthday celebration. She lived on the far side of the city with her two daughters. All night, she fluttered around William, refilling his glass, laughing at his jokes, showering him with attention.
Then, one day, Edward returned from football practice to hear his parents arguing in the kitchen.
«Im leaving. And yes, I love Victoria. Theres nothing left between usno love, no respect. But with her, its real. She values me, unlike you,» his father declared.
«Its not you she values, you foolits your money,» his mother shot back.
«Knew youd say that. Must you always make a scene? By the way, well have to sell the house and split the proceeds.»
«Excuse me? Have you no conscience? That house was a wedding gift from my parents!»
«Preciselya gift to *us*, not just you. Its joint property.»
«And what of your son? Where will he live? Where will he sleep, what will he eat?!»
«And have you considered how Im to live in a one-bedroom flat with the woman I love and her two schoolgirls? Besides, I only want whats fair…»
For two years, Edward and his mother lived with his grandparents. Later, they secured a mortgage and bought a modest home. Years passedhis mother remarried, Edward graduated from university, and when he and his wife, Elizabeth, settled down, his stepfather transferred the deed of their home to him.
*I will love my son and never betray himor Lizzie,* Edward thought, driving home from the hospital. In the coming days, hed need to furnish the nursery and buy everything the baby required. Theyd refrained from shopping earlier, respecting Elizabeths superstitions.
As he approached his house, Edward noticed a balding stranger loitering near the door. Something about the mans bearing struck him as eerily familiar.
«Edward! Hello, son! Dont you recognise me?»
«Father..?»
«The very same! I spotted you the moment you stepped out of that fine motorcar of yours. Quite the vehicle, by the way.»
«Pardon me, but Im in a hurry.» Edward clenched his fists, stepping past him.
«Pardon you? Hurrying? No need for such formalitywere family. Why not invite me in? A proper chat, man to man.»
Under different circumstances, Edward wouldve brushed him off. But today, his spirits were too high to linger on bitterness. Without a word, he turned toward the door. William took his silence as assent and followed.
«Marvellous flat youve got here! Spacious,» the older man remarked, peering around. «Youve done well for yourself. More than capable of helping your own flesh and blood.»
«What are you on about?»
«Dont play dim. First, youve spare roomsseveral, in fact. Second, clearly youre in a position to assist. And I, your father, am in need.»
«I fail to see how my circumstances concern you. Or why your troubles should matter to me. Twenty years, not a wordwere strangers. What do you want?»
«Ive hit a rough patch. Had a rownearly came to blowswith my stepdaughters husband. Called me a freeloader! Can you imagine? *Me!* When I worked the factory shifts, keeping Victoria and her girls comfortable, I was wonderful. But the moment I retired, everything changed. Long story short, theyve thrown me out. Out of the very home *I* maintained! And the loans Victoria took in my name? Still mine to repay. Im in dire straits, son. I only want whats fair…»
«Fair? Whats that to do with me?»
«How can you ask? Victoria and I never married. Legally, shes nothing to menor are her daughters. But you? Youre my blood. And your mothershes my only lawful wife. Had she not remarried, Id have gone to her. Were family, after allraised a son together.»
«So you believe youve any claim, after taking half the money from Mums house and vanishing for decades? Not a penny in child support, *Dad*,» Edward spat.
«That money went toward Victorias home, holidays abroadnothing wrong with that. Everyone deserves a break. My mistake was co-signing loans for her daughters weddings and honeymoons. But youll understand, wont you, son? Help me. After the injustice Ive sufferedcast out like rubbish»
«Holidays? Mum and I scraped by, saving every penny for a roof over our heads. She worked double shifts. I took odd jobs from thirteenhanding out leaflets, then washing cars.»
«Good lad, a real man. I knew you wouldnt abandon your father.»
«I lost my father at ten.»
«But here I am. Better late than never, eh? Well make up for lost time.»
«How?»
«I could stay in that spare room. Temporarily. What dyou say? Bloods thicker than water.»
«That rooms for my son. Whoever gave you my address shouldve mentioned he was born today. I intend to be the father he deserves. Now, kindly leave. Ive furniture to fetch, and a mountain of things to do.» He pointed firmly to the door.
Outside, William called after him.
«Edwardthats a fine motorcar. Maybe trade it for something simpler? Give me the difference to settle my debts. Do this kindness for your father»
«Youre nothing to me but a betrayer. I needed a father as a boynow Ive no use for you. If I see you again, I wont be responsible for my actions.»
Edward strode to his car without a backward glance. Not an ounce of pity stirred in his heart. He knew hed chosen rightlyfor his sons sake, so the boy would never taste the bitterness he himself had swallowed.
