And If... {completed and edited 2024}

And If... He had NEVER done this to us ?

"I agree with Stacy."

We kept talking for another hour, until it was time for them to leave. Half an hour later, Tam and RJ were coming back for their little adventure in the city of Los Angeles, and they had some food with them.

"Burger King." I said, shaking my head.

"Yes, you know how much we love their fries." Tam smiled, dancing a little.

"Son, you need to eat healthier. You can say bye to McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc... for the next month." He didn't eat that bad, but we needed to cut short on that kind of food for awhile.

"Aw ! Why ? "

"Because I said so."

"Can I go to dad's house ? " I could clearly hear the attitude in his voice.

"No, you can't. And you better drop that attitude before I help you to do so. Did you lose your mind ? "

"No, I have it all. I apologize."

"For what ? " I liked for him to know what he was apologetic for and not be one of those people that were saying sorry just to say it.

"Uh, for giving you attitude, I won't do it again. Can I go eat now ? "

"Yes, you can. But first, go wash your hands and don't forget to thank God for the food."

"Yes, ma." He handed his bag to his aunt and ran upstairs.

"So, how was the talk ? " She leaned on the couch, with her left hand, which was holding the bags.

"It was...interesting." I simply answered.

She then put them down on the coffee table and sat next to me, "did something happen ? "

"No. We just talked."

"Are you sure ? "

"Yes, I am. We're not there yet. We still have a lot to work on. By the way, I need to go somewhere."

"Like right now ? " She asked, never getting her eyes off me.

"Yes, I'm gonna see dad."

She made a grimace, displaying her dislike. "For what ? He did enough damage, don't give him an umpteenth opportunity to try to ruin your life. He's good where he's at."

"I'm not going there for a visit of courtesy."

"Then why are you going for ? "

"To confront him."

"You know he will deny." She crossed her legs.

"Maybe not. Either way, I still need to talk to him. I won't be long, I promise. RJ ! Mama is leaving ! " I hollered and a few seconds later, he was running back downstairs, changed in more comfortable clothes.

"Where are you going ? "

"Pay a little visit to your grandparents. Enjoy your food."

"I will."

***

I got out of my BMW, locking the doors behind me as I made my way to my parents' front door. I looked at the house, remembering my childhood here. It wasn't terrible, but it could definitely have been better. The day I left was sadly one of the best days of my life. I felt free and as if I was lifting a huge weight off my shoulders. That day, I was happy but also feeling guilty for feeling this way about the place where I'd been raised.

I sighed and rang the doorbell, hoping that they were there. Felt like forever, but my mother finally answered the door, giving me a warm smile.

If my father was a monster with a cold heart, my mother was nothing like him, and the huge difference in both personalities really confused me. I couldn't understand how they lasted for so long when it didn't seem like they had a lot in common. My mother had always been full of compassion and love. She was the sweet woman everybody loved to be around.