Chapter 38
Meeting Mr. Novak
A dark haired man answered the door, a dog at his side who barked happily wagging his tail seeing the new guest. The dog was pretty old grey around the face, a loyal Labrador retriever panting excitedly but obediently not stepping forward. The teen put his hand down and the dog caught his scent, and then he pet him just before meeting eyes with him. "Ah, good boy Rex," the man praised the dog before he turned his attention back to Zig. "May I help you young man?" It's obvious he hadn't had guests in a long time from the general appearance of the yard, the Toyota pick-up was covered in brush it appeared this man hasn't left the house either. Mr. Novak himself had a beard and looked pretty unkempt generally. He was wearing a red checkered button up and a pair of jeans, in the front pocket he had a pack of cigarettes.
Zig was absolutely dumbfounded and felt like maybe he was in the wrong place, he saw some resemblance and suddenly he felt like he was in the right place. "It's me," He started to say, "Zigmund."
The man's face lit up, and his serious stone expression lightened up he paused for a spell before replying, "It's really you." Anxiously he offered the boy, "Um . .. would you like to come in?"
He hesitated before going inside the house, he looked back at Zoe and she at him before he shut the door behind him. The shack in which Mr. Novak lived in was meager but had that bare necessities. A couch, a kitchen table with a few chairs, a few light fixtures to help with the ambiance to light up the darkness. Without thinking he pulled his father into a hug. Reluctantly, he hesitated before hugging back. "I didn't think I'd ever get to see you."
Zig slowly pulled back with a furrowed brow, "What do you mean?"
"Well your mother made it radically clear she didn't you to be exposed to me. She told me to stay away, and then she threw the towel in."
"She told me you didn't want me."
"She did?" He scoffed, "I guess it was easier than the truth. I'm sure she told you about my problems, I'll have you know though, I've been sober for close to ten years. Your mother and I were like oil and vinegar. We fought like dogs and cats, when it was good it was real good and when it was bad it was hell. We couldn't agree on much, or anything at all. We were happy once. We were so young and in love but add a baby in the mix and maybe I wasn't as ready as I could've been. It'd always be a true regret of mine that I never got to see you grow up, actively witness."
"I just don't know why she'd lie to me."
"What she say?" He asked somewhat sadly, "What? That I didn't want you?" He asked weakly sitting on the couch, his voice sounded a bit raw to the revelation. "Well at any rate, I'm glad you're here now. Does uh, she know you're here?"
Zig shook his head no, "I snuck out, left a few days ago."
"If I know her like I did she's probably worried sick about you. You should give her a call to let her know you're okay. She was so excited to have a little boy. She was crocheting little booties when she was pregnant with you, she knew she wanted a little boy."
"Did you love her?"
"I did. Very much so," He beamed as he thought on it, "but sometimes love just isn't enough to make things work. I had problems then, alot of them. I didn't think I could be a good dad. I don't know, I didn't know what I was doing. From the looks of it she did a good job."
"I needed you and I . . . I hated you for not being there."
"I expect that."
"That's all you're gonna say?" Zig asked shaking his head. "You didn't me right, I hated you."
"Because you wanted me in your life. You realize that you don't need me at all."
"It wasn't your call! You were my father!"
It stung, but it was the truth. The elder nodded his head sadly, he shrugged his shoulder, "I don't know what you want to accomplish then. You met me the truth is out . . ."
Zig teared up shaking his head, "It just wasn't what I thought, you know?"
"You feel betrayed, right?"
"You don't know the half of it. I've hated you . . . for years. Years! You missed out on my entire life!"
"I wish I knew what to say . . ." He trailed off sadly, although understanding of the reaming he's subject to.
Zig was silent for a few moments now, visibly fuming. It was true, his dad has been absent for most of his life and the cover story his mother gave him wasn't the truth. He feels lied to betrayed and even worse here he is in this what could be a happy moment and here they are in silence.