I remember vividly how my mother used to take me with her to work because she had no one to look after me, which often made me ill. Meanwhile, my father was busy sorting out his personal life.

Thats why I dont remember my father. I only know from my mothers stories that everything was fine before I came along. My father supported my mum and helped her, but he lived with us for less than a year. As soon as my mum gave birth to me, my father vanished. Back then, people didnt have mobile phones, so my mother had no idea where to look for him. Even at his work, nobody knew where he was. That time was incredibly tough for my mum.

She managed to find a job, but since there was no one else to look after me, Mum took me everywhere she went. I remember very clearly how cold the room was where she worked. Because of that, I was often ill. Later, I started going to nursery, and meanwhile, my mum found another job as a cleaner.

We never had enough money, but I could see how hard Mum worked. She did everything for me. After what my father did, she decided to live only for me. I finished school and university, found a job, and now I help my mum. I do everything I can to make sure she worries less. Over all these years, we never heard anything from my father. He never once asked about my life.

But one day, there was a knock at the door. Mum went to answer it, and I heard a mans voice. I went out and saw an old man with a walking stick. Mum turned to me and said he was my father.

He was crying and apologising. He said he had been young and foolish, scared of responsibility. All this time, my father had lived in the city, with another family, and a daughter just a bit younger than me. Later, though, he started drinking, and his second wife threw him out. Now, in his old age, nobody wants him. Even his other daughter wouldnt let him return home. His last hope is Mum and me. And I dont know what to do.

On one hand, hes my father; Ive waited so long for him. On the other hand, he abandoned us and only came back because he needs help. I feel mostly for my mumI dont want her to worry. She worked so hard and learned to live on her own, and then he appeared. I told him I need time to think. Mum stayed quiet, she only said it should be my decision.