I don't remember him well. My dad. He comes and goes. My mum says that it's work but I don't know what he does. If I lived anywhere else in the universe I'd think it odd that most times dad comes home with a different face. Sometimes he doesn't come home for years. Mum says it's hard because of something that happens in the future. I think dad just gets bored of us. Mum tells me not to say things like that so I've taken to writing it down.
My first memory of dad was, well as odd as it sounds, was when he was old. He had white hair and he always wore these extreaming nice clothes. I'm not sure why, I guess he liked it. I thought he looked uncomfortable. Then he was suddenly younger I guess, dark hair, terrible style, and still dressed up. Kind of grumpy looking. He'd inquire after me and all the family. Mum would hang on his every word, like he was some kind of god. She still does. He didn't get better from there, posh white hair with the ultimate ugly turquoise suit and huge black bow tie. Then huge brown curly hair that I certainly didn't get in my genes with this ridiculous smile and he'd decided to wear this large red scarf like it was something to be proud of. Trust me, it gets worse, he got younger. He started acting like he'd seen everything there was to see in the whole world and all there was. His obnoxious white hat with the terrible orange. Even mum didn't like it. I heard them talking one day.
"Darling, why orange? It's so...garish."
"Oh my dear! Orange is cool!"
She would just roll her eyes and smile. I don't understand why she puts up with him. Don't get me wrong, some of my memories are good. I still loved the panama hat and the pocket watch he used to carry around. And he did play with us when we were young, I guess I just forget the good in all the bad. He's been coming around less and less. Mum looks worried every time he leaves like it might be her last chance to say goodbye.
I don't really know when I noticed a difference, he just stopped seeming like my dad. He'd still come to visit mum but it was like he didn't want to see us kids anymore. It made me wonder what he knew about the future that he didn't want to tell us. First it was when he started wearing those lether jackets, yeah they looked okay, but it never suited the man who was supposed to be my father. He hadn't talked to me in a very long time, even to check in, until one day he came to visit and mum wasn't in.
"Hello dear, how are you?" He looked sad somehow. I didn't know what to say. What do you say to your father when you feel as if he hasn't spoken to you in years.
"I guess I'm fine. Mum's out, I'll let her know that you stopped by."
"No need, I was wondering if you'd fancy a quick trip to a different planet or another galaxy. Something exciting?" Dad never invited any of us on a trip with him.
"I-I-yes. I'd love to. When?"
"Now if you'd like," something changed, he got so excited. Like he needed me to be there for something. Maybe he just needed someone. Mum says that she never liked to travel with dad, too adventurous for her. Maybe this time what was different was the outfit. It was what changed most. Faces were to be expected, everyone's face changed at some point but only dad changed his clothes. It must have been the brown suit. I liked this one. He seemed more like dad to me.
"I would. Please, where are we going?"
"I've no idea," he said it like it was the biggest and most delightful part of the journey. I couldn't wait any more.
"Allons-y!" I'm not sure why I said it, I've just heard my dad say it and he laughed. I guess it was the start of a very short journey and maybe the only truly safe one my dad has had but it was the last time any of us saw him. I don't know why I can't see him again but I do know that I have the most wonderful dad in the whole of time and space it's self. I know him by many names, mostly just dad. You know as the Doctor.
