A Christmas Carol to Sam (II)

He didn't know how long he had been walking but it it must have been much, because he had his nose and ears frost and almost sore from the intense cold of that Christmas. When he wanted it to account, was in front of the nursing home where his father was staying. He did not know how, but he was there. He was decided and entered.

A beautiful nurse led him to the room where his father was watching TV sitting on a sofa. He had seen him enter but, as usual, his father faked he was not present. Yeah, that was Patrick Malone. A harsh and demanding man, who seemed to have eyes only for his eldest son, Derek.

Hi Dad! I came to see how you are.

Patrick said nothing, not even deigned to look at him. Sam was habituated. It was the usual attitude that his father had with him and it hurt so much when he was a child.

I received an email from Derek -at that moment Sam saw a special gleam in the eyes of his father- He says this year may not be with us, because he's closing an important business in Tokyo ... I'm sorry ... I ...

Don't apologize, Sam -Patrick said in a severe tone- Don't act like a girl!. When will you learn to be a hard man?

Sam keep quite and sat in a chair next his father. No longer wasn't hurting him the hurtful words from his father.

Yes, Dad. Whatever you say -said Sam with respect and resignation.

If you were half the man your brother, you have done more than serve drinks in a dirty bar. I hope my only grandson Samuel take example and be like his uncle Derek, not a nobody like his father: a dark drunk ex-baseball player, which only serves to serve drinks in a bar,and married to a pretentious and licensed wiseacre.

That he wasn't expecting it. Of course had hurt him, but this time his father had gone too far. He was not going to consent it. That was the drop that broke the glass of his patience.

Dad You're wrong! -Sam said furious, though he tried to be contained and be respectful at the same time. And I will tell you that this time you've gone too far. How dare you? I will not allow that to Samuel and Diane get involved in this! Who do you think you are?. Yes, indeed, I was a drunk. Do you know why?. Maybe to forget the way so hard in which you were trying us Mom and me all your life. Maybe to removed from my mind that you only had eyes for Derek. Maybe to forget you made me feel inferiority complex and insecurity when I was a child. Or maybe to forget that, for a dam moment in time, you made me hate my brother. My only brother! What kind of monster does something like this with his son? -Sam kept silent for a breath of air. He felt it lacked. Then he went on- And now you put Samuel and Diane in all this? Have you not had enough with Mom and me? I will tell you that Diane is one of the best things that have happened in my life and I'll not allow to a monster like you try to defile her name, when you can't arrive to the soles of her shoes. And you know another thing? Being a father is a blessing. I have educated my son doing the opposite of that you were doing with me. And he has been perfect! -Sam looked his father kept an amazing silent- Tell me one more thing, daddy. Where was your wonderful Derek when you had a heart surgery, when mom died or when you fell at home and I brought you here because you didn't wanted to come to my house? Where?! How long have he not come to see you? How many years? And yet, after everything I've done and I doing for you… Do you have the courage to insult me in the face and trying to defile the name of the people I love most in this world...? May God forgive you, because I don't know if I could right now…

Sam angrily got up to leave, when suddenly Patrick spoke with a trembling voice:

You're right about everything, but the problem is that I don't know ask forgiveness. That said your mother.

Sam stopped, he was petrified. It was the first time in his life that his father said something like an apology.

What did you say? -said Sam as he turned slowly toward his father.

You're right. Derek was a born winner. He had it all... instead you, but you had potential and intelligence, you didn't get him. I was afraid that one day you will become a… -Patrick gulped, his voice was drowned by the emotion of the moment- ... a loser like me. I wanted that you arrive to be better than me. So I behaved that way with you, but I was wrong... Forgive me, my son... Forgive me... I... I...-tears came and finally drowned his voice.

But those tears were not the only ones. Sam was crying as he listened to his father. He knew how proud he was. He knew how bitter it hard to pronounce those words. He couldn't help a sudden impulse and hugged him with all his might.

Daddy!... Please... Do not cry! ...

My son! Sorry!

Dad!... Dad!…

After a while, past the emotion of the moment, Sam was sitting with his father on the sofa. He was taken from his hand like a small child.

Dad. Why don't you come with me to spend Christmas Eve? -Sam proposed him.

No Sam. Not tonight. Maybe another year. Tonight I have to make peace with myself and my ghosts. Do you understand?

I think so Dad -said Sam reluctantly- But you must promise me you'll come with Diane and me to LA to spend some time.

Okay, Sam. You win.

Sam got up, said goodbye to his father with a kiss on his forehead and walked toward the exit. When suddenly he heard behind him:

I love you Sam!

Sam turned and smiled before continuing his way. He heard his father, raising his voice even further, saying:

Mayday... Mayday... Mayday…! That's my son: Sam "Mayday" Malone!

Sam couldn't believe it. Long time waiting to hear his father tell him something, and now he felt ashamed.

Merry Christmas, Dad!