A shiny car pulled up outside a cosy little flower shop in the heart of London. The place had only been open a few months but had already become a favourite with the locals. People even travelled from neighbouring towns just to get their hands on one of the shops unique floral arrangements.
“Could you put together your most beautiful bouquet? The biggest one youve gotmy sons just been born!” said the beaming young man to the florist, a cheerful blonde woman named Emily.
On his way to the hospital, James pictured the moment hed finally hold his baby boy and become a proper dad. Memories of his own father weighed heavy on him. The only good one he had was being lifted high in the air by a tall, strong mana mix of fear and excitement rushing through him. But soon after, his dad, William Hartley, walked out on the family, leaving James and his mum not just heartbroken, but homeless.
It all started when his mums friend, Victoria, began showing up more often. She worked at the local surgery and sometimes brought a bottle of gin with her, laughing off his mums protests. “Oh, come off it! Whats the harm? Its just to wet your whistle,” shed say, nudging the glass toward William. “Youre lucky to have such a wonderful husbandyou should cherish him!”
One evening, Victoria invited little James and his parents to her birthday party. She lived on the other side of town with her two daughters. All night, she hovered around William, topping up his drink, laughing too loud at his jokes.
Then, one day, James came home from football practice and overheard his parents in the kitchen.
“Im leaving. And yes, I love Victoria. Whatever we hadlove, respectits gone. She actually appreciates me, unlike you,” his dad said coldly.
“She doesnt appreciate *you*just your bloody paycheck!” his mum shot back.
“Knew youd say that. Always the drama. Oh, and well need to sell the housesplit the money.”
“*What?* Have you no shame? That house was a wedding gift from *my* parents!”
“Exactly*our* wedding. Its joint property.”
“And what about James? Wheres he supposed to live? Sleep? Eat?!”
“And where am I supposed to live with Victoria and her two girls in a one-bed flat? Besides I just want whats fair.”
For two years, James and his mum crashed at his grandparents before finally scraping together enough for a mortgage. Years later, his mum remarried, and after James finished uni and tied the knot himself, his stepdad transferred the flat into his name.
*Ill love my son no matter what. Ill never betray himor Sophie,* James thought, driving home from the hospital. Over the next few days, hed need to buy everything for the baby and set up the nursery. Theyd held off buying things earlierSophie was a bit superstitious.
As he reached his building, James spotted a balding stranger lingering outside. Something about him felt eerily familiar.
“James! Hello, son! Dont recognise me?”
“Dad?”
“The one and only! Saw you the second you stepped out of that fancy car of yours. Nice motor, by the way.”
“Sorry, Im in a rush,” James muttered, fists clenched as he tried to sidestep him.
“Sorry? Rush? No need to be so formalwere family! Fancy a quick chat? Man to man?”
Normally, James wouldnt have wasted a second. But today, he was floating on cloud nine. Without answering, he headed inside. William took the silence as an invite and followed.
“Blimey, this flats massive!” William whistled, eyeing the place. “Youve done well for yourself. More than capable of helping out your old man, eh?”
“What are you on about?”
“Dont play daft. First off, youve got spare rooms. Second, looks like you could sort my problems. And your dads in a spot of bother.”
“Your problems have nothing to do with me. We havent seen each other in twenty years. Were strangers. What dyou *want*?”
“Had a row with Victorias son-in-law. Called me a freeloader*me*! After all I did for her and her girls, working my fingers to the bone at the factory. But the second I retired? Booted me out! Left with debts *she* took out in *my* name. I just want whats fair”
“Fair? Whats that got to do with *me*?”
“Come off it! Victoria and I werent even marriedjust shacked up. Those girls? Not my blood. *You* are. And your mums my only proper wife. If she hadnt remarried, Idve gone to her first. Were *family*.”
“So you think youve got rights after taking half the money from Mums flat and vanishing? You didnt even pay child support, *Dad*,” James spat.
“That money went on Victorias place and holidays. Nothing wrong with a break, is there? My mistake was taking loans for *her* daughters weddings and honeymoons. Youll understand, son. Help me out. Ive been treated unfairly”
“*You* needed a break? Mum worked double shifts. I was handing out flyers at thirteen, then washing cars. We *scraped* by.”
“Thats my boya real man. Wont leave your dad in the lurch, will you?”
“My dad died when I was ten.”
“Better late than never, eh? Well make up for lost time.”
“How?”
“Could crash in your spare room. Just till Im back on my feet. Bloods thicker than water, right?”
“That rooms for my *son*. Someone gave you my addressdid they forget Ive got a newborn? Ill be a better father than you ever were. Now *leave*. Ive got furniture to buy.” He pointed at the door.
Outside, William called after him. “James that car of yours. Fancy downgrading? Give me the differenceclear my debts. Do the decent thing”
“Youre a traitor. I needed a dad growing up. Now? I dont need *you*. Stay out of my lifeor youll regret it.”
James got in his car, leaving his father standing there, mouth open. Not an ounce of pity stirred in him. He knew he was making the right choicefor his son. So hed never feel the pain James had.
