Today, Dad called me into his study, saying he needed to talk to me about something serious. His tone made me a bit anxious. When I followed him into the lounge, I found a woman waiting for me there.
Growing up, my whole world revolved around my father. He raised me single-handedly after my mother left us not long after I was born. Dad never remarriedperhaps too wary, after the pain hed already experienced. Hes weathered more than his share of hard times, and I always felt compelled to grow up quickly so I could support him, to do my part as he faced life with such steadfast responsibility.
Because money was always tight, I started working part-time when I turned fifteen. I contributed to small local newspapers, which eventually led to a better job after about three years. A few years later, I managed to land an office job, finally earning enough to be independent and to support both myself and Dad securely.
Then, out of the blue, Dad asked if we could have a serious conversation, so Id braced myself for the worst. But I wasnt prepared for what I found in the lounge. The woman Dad introduced as my mother immediately burst into tears, apologising over and over as she tried to hug me. I couldnt bring myself to hug her back. Gently, I pulled away and left the room without a word, leaving Dad and this stranger behind.
I decided then and there to let Dad handle things as he thought best. I simply cant forgive someone who chose to abandon us so carelessly, and who, all these years, couldnt even be bothered to send a birthday card or offer a word for my big days. The pain of that silence runs too deep for any apology to mend.
