There were five words that he was resigned to never hear from his family.
Expectantly; a bedraggled child, bringing home his first ever catch. Holding out the meagre offering, hoping…. "You expect to feed six people with that?"
No… the words hadn't come.
Hopefully; a scrappy youth, flush from taking a stand back to back with his new young 'comrade' against a larger foe. Being beaten for associating with… "That bastard son of the town Tramp"
No… the words didn't come.
Rebelliously; a fiery teenager, facing his fate with a cocky glint in his eye. Expecting the hateful sneer. "Like your mother or I should have expected anything else?"
No… the words wouldn't come
Indifferently; a resilient warrior, stepping out into the world on his own terms. Finally accepting the truth. "We regret to inform you…"
No… the words couldn't come.
Ironically; a self-effacing man, listening to the woman in front of him reduce his life to a random act of fate. History repeats…
Time stops. Boy, youth, teen, warrior and man merge to one fragile human soul as the words wash over him.
"I'm so proud of you"
They came…
Five words…
That was all he ever wanted