If Only

Written for https://fivedotoh.com/2023/05/02/fandangos-story-starter-95/

He stood there for a long time watching them through the window.

They sat around the table, being normal, eating dinner. His father, different with them. A few weeks ago, he found the courage to knock on the door. Let the man, who only lived streets away, he existed.

He didn’t want much, just recognition.

‘I am your son, don’t I at least deserve that.’

Not that his mum didn’t warn him this would happen. She just thought he had a right to know who is father was. It wasn’t just a one night stand. They were married for a year, when she couldn’t stay with him any longer. He wouldn’t stop boasting about his perfect dad.

His stepfather, would ask if he wanted to play football, or go see a film together – even though he wasn’t much into Avenger’s films. He always said no. What was the point in getting close, if his real dad was out there somewhere.

‘If you want to try and talk to your dad, I won’t stop you. You deserve to make up your own mind.’

He stood at the door, with his best trousers on, expecting his dad to allow him in. Talk about what they could do next. Perhaps a trip to the zoo, where he could make him proud by naming all the animals. Instead, he was told, to go away. That part of his life was over, and what made him think he could just walk in and be a son to him.

Outside, his step-father waited, until he climbed back in the car.

‘Do you want to go home?’ his step-father asked.

‘No, can we go to the cinema, the new Avengers film is on.’