Welcome to chapter one of something I had been thinking about doing for awhile. I have not really written in quite some time, so please bear with me here. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

1

The one

Percy was hoping that his twelfth birthday would be the one. The one that his mother finally returned to him and his father. He knew that it was silly to still believe, after six years, that his mother would return. However, he just could not let go of the small hope that she would.

"All you are going to find sitting by that window is pain," Percy's father stated, watching his son sit, eyes glued to the front window.

Percy ignored his remark and continued to look out the window, for he would wait until the clock hit one past midnight before doing anything else.

Percy's father sighed and took a seat at the kitchen table. He felt bad for Percy and wanted to tell him the truth, but he could never find the strength to disappoint the only person he had left. This year, however, was different. Percy was growing up fast, soon to be in his teenage years, and this obsession could not continue. Looking down at his bottle of Bud, he swished the little amount of liquid left at the bottom as he thought it over.

He needs to know John; he NEEDS to know. As he kept telling himself this, he gulped down the rest of his beer. Wiping the excess liquid that had dripped down his mouth, he placed the bottle on the kitchen table and took a deep breath to calm his nerves before making his way over to Percy.

"Percy, there is something you need to know," he said, his heart already feeling like it would explode at any second.

"What is it?" Percy asked, his face still glued to the window.

John knew he had to do this before his nerves got the better of him. Taking another deep breath, he cleared his throat, "Can you please turn around for a second. It is important."

He sat down close to Percy and watched as his son reluctantly turned around. He could see Percy was already agitated, which would make the outcome worse. Still, it needed to be done.

"What exactly is it, Dad?" Percy asked again. He hoped his dad would make this quick, as the urge to look was already getting tough to fight.

Taking a deep breath, John positioned himself in front of Percy. Clearing his throat, he began, "I never told you this, but you know how I told you your mother was planning on returning and to watch for her every birthday?"

"She is never coming back, is she?" Percy inquired, his heart sinking at finally hearing what he had tried so hard to avoid; the truth.

Lowering his head, John let out a small sigh before nodding.

It was done.

"I am sor…"

"I don't want your apology," Percy snapped.

Not saying another word, Percy just turned around and went back to his window. To know for a fact that your mother never intended to come back puts everything into question for him. Did she truly love him? Why did his dad not tell him sooner? These and more rang through his head as he looked out at the empty, poorly lit road before him.

Feeling awful, John wanted to comfort his son, but he thought it was best not to bother him further. To bother an angry preteen was like asking someone to just up and kill you.

"I am sorry….my boy."

With that said, John thought it was best to get some sleep as it was already half past eleven. Getting up off the couch, he made his way towards the hallway. Stopping just at the corner, he looked back at Percy, "Why could you not have just stayed," he murmured with a sigh. Giving Percy a small smile, he turned around and made his way towards his bedroom.


When he was sure that his father had gone to bed, Percy turned around for good. Tears were slowly falling down the sides of his cheeks. His lips were quivering as Percy tried his hardest to hold himself together, but the pain of knowing he would never see his mother again was just too much to handle.

Picking up a pillow, he hit the couch as hard as he could. Anger had consumed his mind, and his tears halted for the moment. The hatred for both of his parents lingered in his mind. Oh how he wanted to scream at them. He wanted to tell them how much he hated them both, and he wanted to cause harm to them by showing them the pain they caused him.

Then, just as they left, the tears came back. Dropping onto the couch, Percy pushed his face into its side to muffle himself as he began to cry. All his anger had now turned to despair and sadness; the hope of ever seeing his mother again was now lost forever. He had nothing left to do but cry, cry for all the time he had wasted thinking his mother might have cared for him, and for the possibility that she had abandoned him because he was not good enough; perhaps to start a better family.

Five more minutes passed as Percy continued to release years' worth of emotions onto the side of his couch, and just as they suddenly came, his tears stopped flowing. He had finally begun to calm himself down.

Once he knew his breakdown was over, he took his face away from the couch. He rubbed what little tears were left off his cheeks before getting up off the couch. Sniffling, he started to rub his now sore eyes as he made his way towards the kitchen. He had cried his heart out, and now he was quite thirsty.

Grabbing some water from the fridge, Percy looked towards the clock, which now read five past midnight.

"Another very happy birthday has come and gone."

Taking a sip of his drink, Percy decided it was best to get some rest. It may not be school season, but he had no need to stay up any longer. Chugging down the rest of the water, he placed the cup on the kitchen table, then began to walk towards his bedroom door.

He realized his father was right after all; all that stupid window caused him was pain.

A short read, but hopefully a decent start! See you next chapter.