Father's Day

by Henry The HAP

Ray has read the text posted on the internet about how fathers have been so good to "you" throughout "your" life, and how you thanked him by not seeing his effort before he's dead, and decides to write his own version. Can be seen as a side to Dear Diary. Warning: Not Happy

When you were 8 years old, you ran to the door to welcome your dad home. He thanked you by ignoring you and refusing your hug.

When you were 9 years old, you made your dad a drawing to show him how much you loved him. He thanked you by barely glancing at it, and throwing it away a few days later.

When you were 10 years old, you did the washing up because your father was tired. He thanked you by telling you you did a lousy job, and he'd have to do it all again anyway.

When you were 11 years old, you tried to cook dinner for your dad. He thanked you by laughing at your less than successful attempt, refusing to eat "that sh*t".

When you were 14 years old, you helped your father pack his stuff because he was moving to another country. He thanked you by not bringing along the little figurine you'd made him years ago, and being too busy to answer your mails.

When you were 15 years old, you travelled to another country to visit your dad. He thanked you by telling you he hated you the day before you left.

When you were 16 years old, you told your dad happy birthday, merry Christmas and Happy New Year when those dates arrived. He thanked you by not replying, and forgetting your birthday completely.

When you were 17 years old, you congratulated your father on 7 months being sober. He thanked you by going out to lunch, and drinking three glasses of wine.

When you were 18 years old, you thanked 'no' to the many parties you'd been invited to and saved up money so you could visit your father for New Years so he wouldn't be alone. He thanked you by getting wasted and falling asleep on his couch while you stood outside in the freezing cold, your breath coming out in white puffs, locked out of his apartment and unable to get in.

When you were 19 years old, you told your dad he was hurting you with the way he was treating you. He thanked you by logging off MSN, and never speaking to you again.

When you were 20 years old, you'd been through a lot of hell the last few months, not to mention years from various things that had happened through your life. Sure the world hated you, you tried to die. Your father never once called when you were in hospital, the doctors fighting for three days to save your life. He knew you might die, yet he had no interest in mending bridges before the possible end.

Happy Father's Day.