Phoenix

chapter twenty two

He waited in front of the house he once called home,

He didn't want to knock, he couldn't, he took a deep breath and knocked.

Maybe no one was home.

The door swung open and he stood face to face with his father.

He didn't expect him to be so different.

His white hairs had become more pronounced, he looked tired and weak but he still stood upright.

"Come in"he said calmly, he voice still laced with pain, his wife's death really got him.

"Hi"he greeted as he entered the living room, it was perfectly clean like always.

"Sit"he sat .

The room was filled with awkward silence, he had nothing to say to his father and it seemed like his father had nothing to say to him, he was already regretting coming home.

"I expected you yesterday"his father finally said.

"I've been busy"he answered quietly avoiding his father's eyes.

"Your lucky you came before the funeral"

"Why, what if I don't want to attend"

"Son....

"Am not your son, remember"he snapped.

His father flinched surprised by the sudden anger.

"I remember"

"Good, you made it pretty clear"

"No need for this anger you carry"

"No need...no need....you know what this was a mistake"he grunted as he stood up ready to leave.

"Sit down kyle"his father commanded.

"No, I came to pay my respect to mom, not be treated like a child"

"Your acting like a child"

"I don't care, what did you think would happen if I came back, I would smile and forgive you"

"Well you've been carrying a grudge for 12 years, I thought you would finally mature"

"A grudge, that was not a grudge, you were a terrible father"

"I know" his father took a deep breath

"What"

"I know I made a mistake, I shouldn't have kicked you out, I should have helped you"

"Well it's too late for that now"

"But I'm proud of you, look at what you became and the people you met, me kicking you out was the worst thing is did, but it was the best thing that ever happened to you"

He was right, everything I achieved was because I was thrown out of the house by my family.

"We already did the funeral"this father continued.

"The invite says it's tomorrow"

"The invite is a lie,I just wanted to see you, she was buried two weeks ago"

" I would like to see her grave" he said calmly.

"Your sister will be back soon, she'll take you there"

"Does she know am here"

"No, I didn't tell her" he looked at the door and smiled.

"KYLE"she screamed,he stood up stretching his hands and pulling her in.

"Stop crying kendra "she stroked her hair while are tears dampened his shirt.

"I missed you so much"

"I know.

&.&.&.

He held his sister's hand as they stood in front of their mother's grave.

He was quiet, he didn't get to see her and tell her it's okay, she didn't get to see the new him.

"She knows you've changed and she's proud of you.. she told me that"kendra  whispered.

"Thank you"