Short Story Family – Ghosts in the past
Photo credit: anitapeppers from morguefile.com
His hand were trembling as he heard the distinct wailing from the corridor. A sharp howl followed by muffled sobs. He found himself unable to move from his fetal position.
Something brought back to his memories. A soothing touch. A little girl. Was she beautiful? He couldn’t even remember her face. He heard a whimper from her begging him to not to break off with her. But those tears meant nothing to him. He maliciously laughed at her as if she was a dirt rather than the girl who loved him. For at that moment she was nothing but a dirt to be rid of.
He remembered his father’s glare as he approached the stairs swaying on his side bearing a new scar from his previous fight. He heard his father’s question- “are you drunk?”
“What if I am?” he had shot back with the same malicious tone.
His mother, how many times had she cried in front of him, pleading him to leave his ‘ba##ard’ friends, find a job… Everything he threw out of the window with nonchalance.
Funny. He didn’t even find a reason to love his wife. He was his own master. He worked. Earned. Spend. His wife was just a burden in his little plan but no definitely not an obligation. So he taught her the best principle- find food herself.
By the time he heard his name being called his knuckles had turned white.
“I have been searching for you! Here!” The old woman said holding out the tiny buddle of joy.
A tiny baby. His girl. She was looking at him wide eyed and suddenly a miraculous thing happened- a smile.
At that moment he could see all of it. His princess growing out to be a fine woman, accomplished, a sight to be jealous of. Doesn’t it require money? Shouldn’t he be saving? What would she think if she knew that her father was a drunkard? He couldn’t afford to regret the past but at that moment he swore to be a better father if not best.
A smile seem to break out of its own looking at her. He was a happy- proud of his ‘precious’ wife and his princess.
–END–
