Chapter 3: The Father Who Never Left
Chapter 3: The Father Who Never Left
Rain begins to fall.
Soft.
Quiet.
Almost gentle.
The four of them sit beneath the shelter of a small bus stop.
The toy car rests between them.
The mother takes a long breath.
"Your father..."
She looks at the man.
"...is sitting right in front of you."
Silence.
The twins blink.
Neither speaks.
Neither moves.
The younger boy laughs nervously.
"No..."
He shakes his head.
"Dad died."
The man slowly reaches inside his wallet.
He removes an old photograph.
The same toy car.
The same engraving.
Two newborn babies in his arms.
The twins stare.
Then look at the toy.
Then back at the photo.
Every detail matches.
The older twin's eyes begin to fill.
"You..."
His voice cracks.
"...you're really Dad?"
The man nods once.
Unable to speak.
The younger twin suddenly throws himself into the man's arms.
The older one follows a second later.
For the first time in twenty years...
The father holds both of his sons.
But the mother isn't smiling.
She quietly coughs.
A small drop of blood lands on her hand.
May you like
No one notices.
Except her.
