Father stormed out after discovering Mums affair with a colleague. A terrible row erupted at home.
Dad left because he found out about Mums fling with a coworker. The house exploded in fury.
*”What did you expect? Im always alone! Youre at work day and night. Im a womanI need attention!”*
*”And whatll you say when I lock up that Romeo of yours? A word in the right ear, and hes done, huh?”* Dads voice was icy. He was a police officer.
*”You wouldnt dare! You wouldnt!”* Mum shrieked. *”You ruined everything!”*
She collapsed onto the sofa, sobbing. Dad grabbed his things and headed for the door. I stood in the hallway, ready to throw myself on the floor to stop him. How stupid! Wed always been a happy, close family. Mum and Dad never foughtthey shared the same jokes, the same laughter. Sure, Dad worked long hours, coming home exhausted, just wanting sleep. But when we were together, it felt right. How could Mum wreck it all? And would Dad ever forgive her?
*”James, dont go,”* Mum begged, her hands dropping from her tear-streaked face. *”Forgive me! Please stay. Oliver, why are you just standing there?”*
I didnt move. At twelve, I thought I could stop the end of the only happiness I knew.
*”Ollie, step aside,”* Dad said, his voice firmthe same tone he used at work. Never at home.
*”Dont go!”* I whispered.
*”Let me pass!”*
*”Dad what about me?”*
He shoved me aside like an object and left. I think he hurried out before doing something madnot just hitting Mum, but worse. His service pistol was on him. His eyes burned with anger. Now I see he did the right thing leaving. That day, he became the man who pushed me away. And Mumthe one who tore us apart.
Romeo, of course, turned out to be a coward. He left Mum straight after Dad did. She was alone, crushedher husband gone, her lover vanished, her son blaming her. And me?
I started staying out late, falling in with the wrong crowd. At first, it was petty theft, then bolder crimes. We got caught robbing a kidnot all his money, though. He had security, and they nabbed me and Charlie. Dad, now head of CID, showed up at the station. Our surnameWhitlockwas rare. Someone recognised him and called.
*”Get out,”* he barked.
*”Sod off!”* I hissed.
He dragged me from the cell.
*”What about Charlie?”* I yelled, struggling.
He shoved me into an interview room and slapped me hard. Blood and tears streaked my face. I hated him more with every second.
*”How old are you?”*
*”What?”*
*”Fifteen?”*
It sounded ridiculous.
*”Congratulations! You dont even know?”*
*”Because youre not mine!”* he roared. *”I married Sarah already pregnant. Thought shed be a good wife. But she stayed the same”* He spat a foul word.
*”Then whos my dad?”* I mumbled, stunned.
He tossed me a tissue and water. His anger faded as he sat opposite me.
*”Sorry I hit you. Youve let me down. Think I dont have my own problems?”*
*”Then go fix them,”* I muttered.
*”Oliver on paper, youre mine. I pay child support. But keep this up, and Ill cut you loose. Jail? Wont bother me.”*
*”What now?”*
*”Now? Youre free.”*
*”And Charlie?”*
*”His familys got money. Theyll sort it. You worry about yourself. Fancy jail? Its hellespecially for kids.”*
I didnt want prison. But life was painevery look at Mum twisted the knife. So I messed about. I told Dad that.
*”Your choice: start living rightschool, futureor keep going this way. Jails where it ends. You dont want that? Change. Go.”*
As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
*”And dont blame your mum. Divorce is never one-sided. What I said about her was anger. Forget it.”*
*”James Dad, you loved each other! Maybe”*
*”Forget that too, son.”*
The gang didnt let me go easy. A few fights left me bruised, but I got out. Charlie got probation thanks to Dads word and went back to his life. I made my choice.
I forgave Mum. Tried hard. I wanted to know who my real dad was, but I never asked. No timeschoolwork was so behind, catching up took everything.
I graduated police academy with honours. Now, standing in Dads office under his proud gaze, I finally understandlife brought us back together.
