Faith
A story about time, faith, and love
CHAPTER Two
I gulped down the spit which had massed up in my mouth. Abba took a long look at my clothes. I knew what was going to happen next.
“What have you done to yourself?!” he questioned. He ran towards me and grabbed my shirt. “What is this? Where have you been? Why are you all wet?”
I reached into my pocket and felt the notes of money in my hand, making sure they were there. “It’s nothing. I’ve just been out to the local pool.”
“Been out to the local pool?! Do you think that excuse is going to work on me?” I knew it was a bad one. But it was the only thing that came to my mind. How did I know Dad was going to be waiting for me over here?
“Dad, I’m telling you, it’s nothing!”
He wasn’t smiling. But I didn’t want to reveal it to my dad now. I would do it at dinner if Dad hadn’t come back early. But now it was too late. The awkward silence had eaten away Abba’s words. “Abba,” I struggled to say. My voice was shaking. I don’t know how he was going to react. “I’ve been going out when you leave to work.”
And then, there was silence. No-one said a word. Then, the thing I least expected happened – he smiled. “Who is she?” he asked.
“No, Dad, not like that!” I can’t believe he thought that. What did he think I was - some sort of socially accepted person, who can have a girlfriend? I pulled out the notes and the coins. “I’ve been working at the carwash.”
More silence. But this time, it was different. His smile dropped. There was tension in the air. I felt it. Like you saw the oncoming car before the crash. Like you were about to be pushed off a mountain.
“I knew it was you,” he replied.
What in the world was that supposed to mean?
“I saw you when I was coming back from work. At first, I thought it was just me. Now, I realize it was you. Same grey t-shirt, same grey pants.” He looked down at the tiles and slightly shook his head - a sign of big disappointment.
It was the same head shake when we three – back when Ma was around – were trying so hard to make a living, and we couldn’t pay off one of the payments. The same shake when I punched another high school boy, who was much bigger than me. He had always taught me to be humble – to never attack another person physically, to never show your anger, to never cry over spilt milk. We only had each other. And here I was, standing downstairs, getting a disappointed look from my only other family member.
*****
“Charles, stay upstairs with Ma – me and Mr. Skye are just going out for a walk.”
I still remember that day. I was young – only around 12. Most would say it was a normal day. Not for us. That decision had changed our lives, and it wasn’t for the better either. The other thing I remember from the day is that, I had just recently gotten a new camera! I loved it so much – in fact, I still have it. I used to take pictures of absolutely everything: my parents, the house, the trees, and the construction of The Boulevard.
12 year old me ran downstairs and before Mr. Skye could open the door to leave, I pleaded, “Can I come as well?” Abba looked over his shoulder and then back at Skye. “Please?”
“…Okay, but hurry up.” He had hesitated before saying it. I wish he had said no.
I grabbed my camera from the drawer upstairs, and ran down to put my shoes on. I raced out the door, merely behind Dad and his banker. Whoa. This place has changed a lot. The grass had been laid down, stretching across the length of the road, and small saplings had been planted in the one by one areas designated for them. This is going to look so cool when it’s finished. The footpath had only recently been paved, so it looked fantastic.
I took out my camera and snapped a few shots. I looked down and fiddled with the controls to check them out. I grinned. I grinned a grin which was far bigger than any grin before. They looked stunning.
“Charles, hurry up! If you’re not going to keep up, go back home.” I followed them, all the way until the crest of the hill, when they stopped walking. This is it, I thought to myself. The loan is coming.
“Well, sir, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.” I saw the moment. I snatched out the camera and waited.
“You too, Edwin.” They shook hands. Click. And that was the moment when everything changed. Embedded in history.
*****
It was as if time was frozen. It was my fault, but my heart was saying that I did the right thing. “I’m sorry Dad. I should’ve told you earlier.”
He took a deep breath. “Charles, I understand why you did it.” He gulped. His eyes were welling up. “I would…I would have done it as well.” A tear rolled its way down his face. He scrunched up his eyes, his bottom lip starting to pout.
I’ve just made my father cry.
It's for the imagination right now...and Chapter 7!
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