(The Story of Patrick)

*October 11th, 1941*

*8:40 pm*

Patrick sat on the couch across from his ex wife and daughter as he sipped on some tea while Charlotte gave him a look of shame, mostly steaming from the man leaving her and her mother at a young age.

"Thank you for giving me a chance to tell my story, I know it's quite a difficult decision but it gives me peace that you guys are willing to hear me out…" Patrick had spoken out as he looked over to his daughter before turning his head to face his cup of tea.

"We just wanna hear you out, that's all. Don't expect me or my mom to ever allow you to enter our lives again, got it?" Charlotte had advised her father in a stern tone of voice as this was met with Patrick nodding his head in understandment.

"I know but like I said, I just want to know how you guys have been doing and at least explain my side of things…" Patrick had spoken back as he looked over to see a photo of Charlotte with Emma and Mary which made him smile.

"Well, we're waiting for you to tell why you left? You are lucky my daughter has given you this final chance to speak your mind.." Mrs Smith had spoken to her ex husband in a strict tone of voice as she saw Patrick beginning to speak.

"My apologies for the delay but here's my story…" Patrick had responded back to his ex-wife as he began to tell his story.

*Flashback*

*November 2nd, 1930*

*2:30pm*

It was a cold Saturday afternoon during the Great Depression as a young 31 year old Patrick was looking for work as he roamed across the city before eventually seeing a young man painting which caught his attention.

"Um, excuse me? What are you painting? It looks rather beautiful so far…" Patrick had asked the young man in a tone of curiosity as he continued to watch the lad paint while he waited for an answer.

"Oh, This? It's just the Empire State Building. It was constructed just a few months ago but it looks rather marvelous, wouldn't you say?" The young boy had answered back as this made Patrick smile.

"I agree, are you guys hiring by any chance? I'm not much of a painter but I have a wife and a five year old daughter so anything helps…" Patrick had asked the young man in a rather pleading tone of voice as he expected to get rejected however the young man nodded his head in confirmation which made him smile.

"Sure, we could use plenty of help but just know that it requires you travel quite a bit from what I've heard so it's best to think about it and my name is Cody" Cody had advised Patrick as both men gave each other a handshake.

"My name is Patrick and I'll definitely give it some thought…" Patrick had spoken back in an excited yet worried tone of voice as he waved Cody goodbye before making his way towards his home which had taken around ten to twenty minutes to reach.

*2:40 pm*

Patrick had finally arrived home as he was greeted by a young Mrs Smith who missed him on the cheek.

"Good Afternoon, my dear. How was job searching? Did you find any luck?" Mrs Smith had asked her husband in a tone of excitement while she went over to the kitchen to prepare supper.

"No luck, unfortunately but I was offered a position but I don't know if I should accept it or not…" Patrick had answered back in a more perplexed tone of voice as he walked over to sit down as a voice called out to him.

"Daddy! Daddy! Did you find your job today! Did you!?" A young five year old Charlotte had cried out in joy as she jumped up and down which made Patrick smile.

"Um, it's a work in progress. Daddy promises you that he'll find himself a job but things have been rough.." Patrick had answered back as this quickly changed the young Charlotte's demeanor as she became sad.

"Oh.." Charlotte had simply uttered out in sadness as she put her head down as Patrick knelt down to give her a talk.

"Look, I know it's been rough since Daddy has been let go but I always have hope so please retain that hope as well, okay?" Patrick had spoken out while trying hard not to cry as he gave his daughter a hug as this was watched by Mrs Smith who had tears in her eyes.

*7:20 pm*

A few hours had passed as Patrick and Mrs Smith were discussing the job and other issues.

"I see, Does the job even pay? Most businesses and everything else are a wreck right now and I just don't want you to leave us for no good reason" Mrs Smith had spoken to her husband in a worried tone of voice as Patrick gave her a smile of comfort.

"Sarah, I know what I'm doing. I know things have been rough but if I can just learn art and strive to become an artist then maybe just maybe I can provide for you and Charlotte!" Patrick had spoken back in a convincing tone of voice while he looked over to see Mrs Smith with a rather perplexed look on her face.

"So, it's not a job then? If it doesn't pay then it's not a job, plain and simple! I don't know what you're planning but I'm asking you to put an end to this, okay? I know there may be a chance that you might get paid for learning art but what are the chances of that? Think about your daughter!" Mrs Smith had advised her husband in a more louder tone of voice.

"I know, but at least it's something and I have a feeling that things might work out! If there's money then I'll have a messenger pigeon or letter it over to you and Charlotte! Just have faith in me!" Patrick had spoken back once more in defense as the couple continued to argue throughout the night as eventually, Patrick made his choice exactly one week from that incident.

"November 10th, 1930*

*8:30am*

It was a very cold morning as Patrick was getting ready to depart while Mrs Smith helped him put on his jacket.

"Sarah, please understand that I'm making the right choice and some choices require sacrifices but please understand that…" Patrick had pleaded with his wife as she gave him a dirty look before speaking once more.

"What about Charlotte? What about work? How am I supposed to provide for my only child if you aren't there to help?! You better have a good explanation for this" Mrs Smith had spoken out to her husband while waiting for her answer as Patrick eventually came up with an answer.

"It's gonna be hard but It's best not to tell her at the moment but just say that good ole daddy has found a job and he has to go far away, okay? And as for work, I've managed to get you a job as a house cleaner and It's not much considering teaching was out of the window but it's the least I can do and besides, I'll come back with plenty of money.." Patrick had answered back as he put on his hat and proceeded to walk towards the door however Mrs Smith hugged him from behind.

"You're such an idiot, always coming up with wild schemes at a terrible cost, your daughter is gonna be heartbroken when she finds out the truth. She's a pretty lonely kid since she doesn't have any friends. She constantly gets picked on but, do what you want. I'm not stopping you…" Mrs Smith had advised her now ex-husband as she slowly released herself from the man as Patrick didn't say a single word while he opened the door to exit the home as he could hear small cries from the other side.

"Charlotte, Sarah, I'm sorry…" Patrick had spoken quietly to himself as he proceeded to walk away from his former home as he was now faced with an uncertain future however he knew that things were gonna work out, somehow…

*End of Flashback*

*October 11th, 1941*

*9:10 pm*

Patrick had finished telling his story as he looked up to see Mrs Smith silently crying while Charlotte gave her comfort.

"And you never came back nor sent us any money throughout the ten years like you said you would. My mother struggled just so I could be where I'm at today while you were doing whatever…" Charlotte had spoken out in a tone of disgust as she continued to comfort her mother while Patrick nodded his head in agreement.

"I know, I'm a terrible person but I just wanted you guys to hear me out but I don't mean to switch topics but you seem to have very wonderful friends, Anya, right? She seems like a very good person" Patrick had spoken to his daughter once more as he sipped on some tea.

"My friends are indeed wonderful people and I love them with all of my heart and also, please stay away from Anya, okay? It's honestly creepy that you are asking her how I'm doing and whatnot" Charlotte had advised her father as she was met with the man nodding his head in understandment.

"As you wish.." Patrick had spoken back as he continued to look around the living room before noticing a photo of Charlotte kissing Emma which made him smile.

"It's best for me not to touch that subject out of my daughter's respect but I'm glad that she's happy with someone.." Patrick had thought to himself as he got up from the couch and stretched.

"So, where are you going now? You've explained your piece already so what now?" Mrs Smith had finally spoken out in a tone of disappointment and curiosity as she waited for an answer.

"I think It's best for me to leave and I'll be going back to San Francisco in five days but just know that you guys can always write to me, okay?" Patrick had answered back as he put on his coat and hat and made his way towards the door until being stopped by Charlotte.

"I honestly think it is best for you to leave. I don't like people who hurt others and making my mother struggle for these years is something I don't stand for at all so please, leave…" Charlotte had advised her father with small tears in her eyes as she quickly went towards her room and slammed the door shut.

"Sarah, I'm so sorry for everything. It hurts seeing my daughter like this but I must respect her wishes as well so, I guess this is goodbye.." Patrick had spoken to his ex-wife as he exited the building while the door closed behind him as Mrs Smith sighed to herself.

"Ten years, huh? It's been so long since he left to pursue his art career or whatever but It's come at such a terrible price, I've struggled while Charlotte became depressed due to her father going away…" Mrs Smith had spoken out to herself as she looked over to see a photo of Charlotte with her friends back at the may festival which made her smile.

"But, there came Anya, who became her friend and the rest is history. Those friends she loves and cherishes so much practically saved her from her dark place.." Mrs Smith had spoken out once more as she let out a bittersweet smile as apart of knew that this ordeal wasn't exactly over yet..