Father left after discovering Mums affair with a colleague. A horrible row erupted at home.
Dad walked out when he found out about Mums fling with a bloke from work. The house turned into a warzone.
*”What did you expect? Im always alone! Youre at work day and night. Im a womanI need attention!”*
*”Oh, and whatll you say when I chuck Romeo, your oh-so-attentive lover, in prison? A little planted evidence, and bamcell block for him, eh?”* Dads voice was icy. He was a police officer.
*”You wouldnt dare! You wouldnt dare! You ruined everything!”*
Mum collapsed on the sofa in floods of tears. Dad grabbed his things and headed for the door. I stood in the hallway doorway, ready to throw myself on the floor to stop him. What a stupid idea! Wed always been a close, happy family. Mum and Dad never argued, told the same jokes, laughed together. Sure, Dad worked long hours, came home shattered, desperate for sleep. But when we *were* together, it was perfect. How could Mum throw it all away? And would Dad ever forgive her?
*”Geoff, dont go,”* Mum begged, hands pressed to her face. *”Im sorry! Stay. Victor, why are you just standing there?”*
But I didnt move. Blocked his path. At twelve, I thought I could stop the end of my happy family.
*”Vic, move,”* Dad said, dead serious. That tone only came out at worknever at home.
*”Dont leave!”* I whispered.
*”Let me pass!”* Same cold voice.
*”Dad what about me?”*
He shoved me aside like a chair and stormed out. Looking back, I think he left so he wouldnt do something madnot just hit Mum, but worse. His service pistol was on him, and his eyes burned with rage. That day, he became the man who pushed me away. And Mum? The one who wrecked it all.
Romeo, predictably, turned out to be a rat and dumped Mum straight after Dad left. She was alone, humiliated. Husband gone, lover vanished, son blaming her. And me?
I started staying out late, fell in with a rough crowd. Shoplifting at first, then bolder crimes. Got caught trying to mug some rich kidwell, not *all* his cash. His bodyguards nabbed me and Charlie. Dad, now head of CID, turned up at the station. Our surnameCotterwas uncommon, and someone recognised him.
*”Out. Now,”* he snapped.
*”Sod off!”* I hissed.
He yanked me from the cell.
*”What about Charlie?!”* I thrashed.
He dragged me into an interrogation room and slapped me hard. Blood and tears, fury boiling inside me.
*”How old are you?”*
*”What?”*
*”Fifteen?”*
Ridiculous.
*”Congratulations! Cant even remember your own kids age!”*
*”Because youre *not* mine!”* he roared. *”I married Gail already pregnant. Thought shed be a good wife. But she stayed a”* He used a foul word.
*”Then who *is* my dad?”* I stared, shellshocked.
He tossed me a tissue and water. Wiped my face. Geoff sat opposite, voice low.
*”Sorry I hit you. But youve let me down. Think I dont have my own problems?”*
*”Then sod off and sort them!”* I mumbled.
*”Vic on paper, youre mine. I pay child support proper. But keep this up, and Ill disown you. Let them lock you upsee if I care.”*
*”What now?”*
*”Now? Youre free.”*
*”And Charlie?”*
*”Charlies got his own dadrich lot, theyll manage. Focus on *you*. Fancy prison? Its hell, especially for kids.”*
I didnt. But my life was all pain whenever I looked at Mum. So I acted out. Told Geoff that.
*”Right. No ones choosing for you. Either straighten upschool, futureor carry on and end up banged up. Dont want prison? Change. Go.”*
I turned to leave. His voice stopped me.
*”And dont blame your mum. Divorce takes two. What I said was anger. Forget it.”*
*”Geoff Dad, you *loved* each other! Maybe?”* I asked, hopeless.
*”Forget that too, son.”*
The gang wouldnt leave me alone. Took a few beatings, wore the bruises. But I got out. Charlie got probation thanks to his dad and slunk back to his old life. I chose different.
Forgave Mum. Tried *so* hard. Wanted to know who my real dad wasnever asked. No time for detective work; school was a mess, catching up took everything.
Graduated police academy top of my class. Now, standing in Dads office, under his proud gaze, I finally understoodlife brought us back together.
