Chapter 1: losing a father
Hiccup's POV
I will never forget the last words on that piece of paper from the judge.
"Due to the events of December 31st, 2013. It is In the best interest of Henry Harris Haddock. That the city of Denver, Colorado will hereby immediately place him into foster care. That is until his father Stoick Haddock completes rehab and proves to the court, that he's able to take care of Henry, and will not harm him in the future."
I look to the woman from Social Service, who gives me a sad look. Then I look to the right and see my father crying in his big hands. I never saw my father cry before. In the past, he always told me it was too weak to cry. Now here he is crying his eyes out.
"Son" he said. "I'm so sorry"
I couldn't tell him tell him that I forgive him. One, I hate him so much for what he did. Two, I literally can't because of the breathing tube.
I am in the hospital because of my father. Ever since my mom disappeared when I was a baby, he always would drink a lot of scotch and vodka. He would never hurt me physically, but he would always make me feel worthless. He yells at me and tells I'm an accident waiting to happen. The only thing I would do as kid was to try not to cry. As I got older, I became more immune to it and even argue back at him.
Then New Years Eve happened. We were at my Uncles' house celebrating a happy new year, and was originally going to stay the night. Even though we lived in the same town its because my Dad would be usually drunk enough to be sleeping by the time it was midnight. That was the plan until he caught me smoking a cigarette.
I was smoking cigarettes for six months before my dad caught me. I only smoke about half a pack a day, but it helps me calm down because of stress at both home and school. It certainly doesn't help that I don't have friends. The cigarettes were my only friend.
When he saw me, he turned from red of being drunk again to purple with newly set-in rage. He grabbed me from the back of my jacket and dragged me from the house to the car. My Uncle Spitelout saw the commotion and ran outside.
" Stoick, what's going on?" he asked.
" This piece of shit was smoking right under my nose!" he screamed pointing to me.
" Stoick, listen to me." he said calmly. " You're off the handle right now, and I know you're angry. But let's calm down and…" WHAM! I see my Uncle get punched in the nose by Dad.
He throws me into the passenger seat and gets into the driver's seat, before he slams the gas petal out of the neighborhood.
He's driving at dangerous fast speed, and for the first time in a while I was getting scared. When he's drinking he knows well enough when he shouldn't be driving. But his anger towards me, made him forget that little detail.
" You screwed me for the last time!" he screeched. " I should kick you out!"
" Good for you, you should win parent of the year!" I scream back.
" Maybe, you should have never been born!"
Those six words echoed into my head, making me not notice us running the red light. I also did not notice the car colliding into my side.
According to the doctors I was dead for about a minute. I was in a coma for about a month and suffered a lot of injuries. Both inside and out. I lost function of one of my kidneys and had my appendix taken out. I also had a cracked skull, and a broken right shoulder. My ribs were broken, and my lungs were punctured.
The worst part of all was my left leg severely shattered. They have plates and screws in to it that looks like my leg is a voodoo doll. They told me that best case scenario I might get most of my leg function, but in a normal case I'll using a cane for the rest of my life. As for worst case I might get an infection and have my leg amputated.
My dad was arrested with a DUI and the courts recommend me to be place into foster care until he change his act. The only family I have is Uncle Spitelout, but he can barely support his own family. Also his past drug charges rules him out as a guardian, even though it was ten years ago.
My dad managed to come to the hospital after he found out I was awake and aware of what's going on. He convinced them he wanted to say goodbye before leaving for rehab. They agreed as long as there was someone to supervise him. Henceforth, the lady from social services
I on the other hand was angry at him. After what he did, he had the balls to say he was sorry. I wanted to scream at him, but again my breathing tube was preventing.
The S.S lady came over to me, and said " Do you have something to say Henry?"
I nod yes.
She opens her laptop and places it on my lap. I'm glad I'm left handed because I can't move my right shoulder. I type the words I wanted to say, and Dad sees it.
"GET OUT"
" Is that what you want Henry?" he said
I nod again.
" Alright, I will. But I promise I will try to get my act together. I will try to be a better father to you"
I typed out "YEAH RIGHT, I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE YOU'RE PUTTING ON. I HATE YOU."
He looks stunned at the words on the screen, and slowly walks out of my hospital room. I know I won't see him for the next six months but I don't care. I'm too busy being angry at myself.
I may hate my dad a lot, but I hate myself more. I don't have friends and no one really cares about me. I really wished that I didn't survive the collision. But I did and now this time I have to face six months of foster care. I never felt this broken in my life of cracks, and this time I don't think anyone can fix my life.