A Son's Passion || Micro Story Contest

The chill in the cold breeze seeped through his jacket into his body but Louis was beyond caring. He rolled around in his palm the few small rocks he had picked on his stroll to the lakeside. One by one he threw them into the water, each rock causing a ripple. He watched for a moment as each ripple formed and dissipated in the water. The scene was soothing but his mind was in turmoil.

Could his love for his only son, Matthew, dissipate like this ripple? He wondered. After a heated exchange with his son that resulted in an ultimatum, he stormed out of the house and came down to the lakeside to quiet his mind. His wife begged him in tears to take it easy because of his heart.

Matthew was his only son and child. He had hoped he would be interested in taking over the diner he had built from scratch after he immigrated with his brother from South Africa to the US. It seemed his son was bent on taking his own path —becoming an artist.

Did he make a mistake raising his son in this country where freedom is preached all the time? Right from childhood, the teachers encouraged Matthew and his classmates to find their passion and follow it. Argh! Louis ran his hand through his grey, thinning hair and wore his cap back. Maybe he should not have encouraged Matthew in his drawings right from when he was a boy.

But he wanted his son to be happy. So he bought him paintbrushes, watercolours, and small pot paints as his sketches got better. Matthew was always happy whenever he sat or laid on his belly to draw. He did not want to take away the joy in his son's eyes.

"I've had enough, Matt! You are either invested in the family diner or you pack your things and get out of my house," he screamed at his son before leaving the house.

"Fine! I'll leave," Matthew shouted back.

Louis regretted saying those words. If Matthew left the house, he would move in with his artist friends and their relationship may deteriorate more.

He pulled up his coat collar to cover his neck up to his ears as he felt the chill in the air. It was time to go back home to his family.

Returning to the house, Louis found his wife, her eyes red and puffy, sitting outside on the porch. She stood and ran into his open arms, holding him tight.

"I'm so sorry, Bernie. Is he here?"

Bernadette nodded vigorously. "He's here. I can't lose my only son, Louis." She pleaded. Louis patted her shoulder gently and walked into the house. He went straight to Matthew's room and opened the door.

Matthew glanced up from his packing and frowned as he locked eyes with his father. At the age of 20, he should have been leaving on his own but loved his parents too much to leave them. His heart sank. "You don't need to say anything. Give me five more minutes, I'll leave," he spit out.

Louis silently walked up to him and embraced him. Matthew froze and was going to resist but his father held him tighter. Father and son held each other for a long moment.

"Don't go," Louis whispered. "I'd rather have you here, excelling at your art than to lose you because of my dream. It's your dream and passion that matters."

"I'm sorry, father. I'll keep helping at the diner, you know this."

Bernadette stood by the bedroom door, smiling as the two stubborn men in her life settled their differences.

The end.

I hope you enjoyed reading this story. This is my entry to Blurtlatam Micro Story Contest. You may click on the link to participate.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{_{Image 1: Guillaume de Germain via Unsplash
Image 2: Christine Benton via Unsplash}}

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