Birth Father

The tale of an obscured daughter reunited with her birth father.

The day my mother told me about my father I came to the understanding that I could never really know him in the way I had always wanted to. Too much time had passed. I was 17 then. The days of tea parties and bedtime stories were over. I was almost grown as she constantly reminded me. I knew that meeting him would only further prompt my obscure memories of his abandonment. However, for some reason I couldnt except ignoring his existance. My memories of daydreaming about what he might be like or how he might look showered me in greif. I was so hopefull then. Those days are long gone now. All is left is the stinging dissapointment of his absence in my life. Nothing more.

 

She gave me an adress and a phone number, aswell as his first and last name. He was John Moore. I looked at his name on the peice of paper she has prepared for me with almost enthusiam. But it soon turned to greif. Meeting him for the first time was going to be very hard for me. I knew that, and had been expecting it for a very long time. My mother told me before I left to go and find him, to not expect too much. And for some reason, I actually caught myself questioning her. I said goodbye to her, kissed her on the cheek, and left.

 

I walked slowly up the creeky steps to an small, and old house feeling my gut turn. My steps felt heavy. My heart racing fast, and my breathing uneven and sharp. I knocked twice on the large red door that looked as if it had'nt been repainted in quite a while. I tried to push my judgmental thoughts away. Not wanting to come off rude or snobby. Suddenly, a very thin woman swung open the door. She looked me over with question. I opened my mouth to greet her, but my words seemed to be choked. She then said, "Hello ma'm. Can I help you with something?" I swiftly replied, "Yes, Im looking for John Moore, would he be home by chance?". She looked me over with question and replied "Yes he is. And who might you be?". "Im his daughter.", I said quietly. She then turned to look back at something in the distance, I saw a very confusing expression form apon her face. I felt almost embarrased to tell her who I was. I wished I could have taken back the words right after I spoke them. But, as it were, I could not. Her expression then changed to one of almost grimace. "I was'nt aware he had a daughter." she said. I swallowed hard and replied, "Yes, my mother told me of him and gave me his adress here; I have not come to cause any trouble. I just wish to meet him is all." She invited me in the cold and creeky house I couldnt imagine ever calling home. She told me to wait by the furnace, which was burning a small, pathetic fire that barely heated the area surrounding it. I waited there, noticing the family pictures on the walls. There were two young boys standing in one, with little tuxedos and matching haircuts. They were so young and handsome. My eyes could'nt help but to wonder throughout the walls. Wedding photos and family portrates surrounded me. They made the cold, dreary house almost feel like a home.

 

The woman I had met at the front door entered the room once again than, followed by a very tall, dark haired man. His eyes hovered over me. I almost felt exposed in some strange way. He smiled at me then, the woman still bearing the grimace i had noticed not long after she knew of my person. He walked to greet me smiling warmly, he hugged me gently and then said, "I am so glad you are here with me now. Youre mother told me you would never come. But I didnt believe her." His words warmed my heart. They almost made me believe my childhood fantasies of him could possibly come true. He was not at all how i imagined though. His dark hair shaggy, and unkept, and his brown eyes bold and large. His grin was impecible. So bright and warm. I had imagined him to be rigid and stern, just as my mother had always been. But he was not. He was everything my mother was not. "I am so happy to finally meet you, VerDanna.", he spoke. " Youre so grown; I remember when you were just a tiny infant, so small and innocent. My heart always lept when you smiled or giggled." His words seemed so unreal. My thoughts were numb against them. I was absolutely overwhelmed by him.

 

My eyes started to burn, and then I realised my cheeks had become wet and I turned in embarrasment. "Dont be ashamed darling, I am so happy to be with you now." He comphorted me. I whiped away my tears suddenly, and straightened my posture. I then said "Oh how I have waited for this day. I am so happy I cannot speak I fear." and then I laughed.,my brittle voice almost a squeel. I hugged him once more then, and greeted him warmly.

 

The woman I had met at the door then suddenly let out a quick sigh."She should stay for Dinner, John. I'll prepare us a broth." She then left us and headed into what I assumed to be the kitchen parlor."You must meet your brothers, VerDanna. They have waited so long to know you." He said the youngest was only but four and the oldest was six and a half. He then shouted in a sturdy tone, "Collin, Ross!" And then suddenly two young boys appeared. They shadowed in my fathers appearance, except for the youngest, he took more after his mother, with stringy light brown hair and a very narrow face. They both greeted me with a "Hello, Ma'm. How nice to meet you." I would tell their manners had been proned very well. I assumed, their mother had alot to do with that.

 

I greeted them in return and then we all sat in the living room area. I once again started looking around the old and drafty house, almost as if I was in search of something. I then noticed a small stroller hidden in the corner. "You have another little one I see",pointing at the pink stroller that had caught my eye." Oh no darling, we did, but sadly her life was ended short. The doctors tell us she was just too fragile to survive." John then said with a grimace. It had been the first time I had ever seen such a terrible look apon my fathers face. It mad me quiver, reminding me of all the tears I had shed over him not being with me my entire life. But as it were, I shook it off, attempting to enjoy the long-awaited visit to my estranged father and family.

 

My father then looked at me and said, "Ah, do you have any children of your own yet my dear?" I almost blushed and then said, "No sir, It is only me and my Mum. I had a fiance once, but we did not see eye to eye on much." "Ahh." He chuckled and said, "Well, dont fret dear, fellers are nothing but trouble anyhow." I then smiled with warmth. I was so impressed by his acceptance and ease of communication. It almost seemed too good to be true.

 

 

Author's Note

This story is not complete. Just a quick sample of something I was thinking of writing about. Please give opinions and any advice is welcome. I have not wrote in a long time so I might be a bit rusty. Let me know what yall thought!