A wisp of wind comes through the window, a mighty shove to the candle wick flickering defiantly. Dancing silhouettes on the wall, a happy kind of dance; or is it?
“Mom, where is dad?” comes the squeak of a ten year old. “He is at work son.” Ominous silence ensues. The child goes into deep thought. Hmmm… he works awfully long. Come to think of it, he has not been around for over a week. He is like a stranger to his own home, always home late when he comes then leaving early in the morning; almost as if the darkness went with him. All he wanted was to be told by his dad how proud he is for topping his class, is that too much?
Mum serves him with dinner. What a charmer, he thinks… she was always the one at all major milestones to date; sometimes a bit too present for comfort. She was mostly quiet, he can’t put it in words, but something told him she also bore the same yoke.
His eyes dart to the family photo on the wall opposite him, gleaming back at him. Ah, nostalgia! A lump forms in his throat and tears start welling up in his eyes. He blinks as a hot trail burns his cheeks. Where is my dad?
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A subtle knock on the door; “come in.” He walks in and his ten year old runs up to him and he receives him by carrying him up shoulder high. His beautiful wife sashays into the room and hugs him. They share pleasantries as the giggling kid tells him stories on end. He tells him how he was position two in his class but promises he will work hard. His dad smiles back at him and says he will bring him something for his effort.
He lowers him and tells him to hurry and wash up for dinner. He moves towards his wife in the kitchen and helps her out. She is smiling all the way and laughing at his jokes as they set the table together. The kid comes back and joins the fray.
His eyes dart to the family photo on the kitchen wall, gleaming back at him. A happy chuckle escapes him… he runs to both of them and hugs them both, a huge grin plastered on his small face with eyes closed.
donmu2ua 