Thanks Dad! (standard:drama, 1843 words)
Author: Sfbaywriter	Added: Feb 15 2002	Views/Reads: 3329/2249	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A story of a boy and his father. Thanks Dad!

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

His mother had listened to the various complaints in the past. For some
reason, his complaint triggered an unexpected reaction.  She grabbed 
Billy by the hand and took him outside through the sliding glass doors 
onto the deck. "Listen to me Billy. You need to understand some things 
about your father. When he was in his junior year of high school, his 
dad disappeared. Since your dad was the oldest son and his mother 
needed him to help support the family, he quit high school and got a 
job. He had no choice. He had to support his mom, five brothers and 
sisters. Therefore, he started working when he was sixteen and has not 
stopped since. He works two jobs now, not because he wants to, but he 
has to. He hates his work. When you hit your first home run he was 
working. I called him when we got home and told him. He cried. He knew 
it was a big moment for you and he wasn't there to share in it. He 
hates not being around on holidays. But he works because he makes 
double time and a half on holidays," she was almost screaming at Billy. 


She paused and stared at Billy. She could see he was listening, trying
and wanting to understand. She got down on one knee and looked into her 
son's eyes,  "Billy, your dad is not well educated and has never been 
able get a high paying job. He hates how often he is away and what he 
misses. He is a proud man however and wants to do all he can to make 
sure his children have more options then he did. He regrets not 
finishing school and even through he didn't really have a choice, it is 
something he thinks about often. He feels torn all the time between 
doing what he needs to do to allow you guys to have more choices and 
knowing what he is missing. He made a conscious choice. He loves you 
all so much and it hurts him badly when he knows his absence causes 
disappointment or sadness. He knows what he is missing and it hurts him 
deeply," she whispered to Billy. 

"Mom, I just miss him so much," he said, starting to cry. "I know dear.
I miss him as well. But remember it is important to him you never have 
to do what he had to when you are an adult. We will be able to send all 
of you to college or to support you in what ever you choose to do. The 
only reason we can, is your dad's willingness to work 2 jobs for most 
of his life. He spends whatever free time he has playing catch with 
you, helping your brother with his golf, and sister with her soccer. He 
has no time for anything else.  He loves golf and hiking but has not 
played for years and he may have hiked twice in the past year. His 
passions and interests are on hold. He loves each of you deeply. His 
life is his family. That's all there is for him," 

The noises from the kitchen, dishes clanging, brought him back to the
present. He walked in to the kitchen and smiled at his dad. He wanted 
to say something, but the words just wouldn't come. So he sat down and 
had a quick breakfast. 

Looking up at the clock, his dad said it was time to go. He asked Billy
if he wanted to drive, but Billy shook his head no.  So they got up and 
left and quickly they were in the car and on the way to the try out. 
There was silence in the car as they drove. Billy thought of the hours 
spent in the backyard, throwing pitch after pitch through the tire his 
dad had hung from the tree, all the hours spent practicing grips, and 
the little league games played. Years spent dreaming of this day, his 
chance to shine. Filled with confidence and assurance, he told his dad 
goodbye and got out of the car. Turning away from the car and starting 
to walk towards the entrance, he heard his dad yell "No matter what 
happens today Billy, I am so proud of who you are and how hard you have 
worked in pursuing your dream. You are my hero son," 

Billy stopped and turned back towards his dad. He walked slowly towards
the car and got down on one knee, leaning on the door, arm on the open 
window. "Dad, for ever you have been there for me, patiently teaching 
me, prodding me along, always helping me get through my self doubt, 
never wavering in your love and support of me and my dream. I could not 
of gotten this far without you. How you have been able to be there for 
me so often, and for Rebecca and Tim, and work as hard as you do, is 
something I will always remember. I will never be able to express 
enough appreciation and the only way I can think to do so, is to go out 
there and make sure all of your sacrifice pays off. And I am going to 
do just that." Billy got up and walked towards the entrance, suddenly 
feeling more confident. 

From the car, Billy's dad watched his son walk into the stadium. Tears
running down his face. Right then, maybe for the first time in years, 
he felt like he had been a good dad. All of the guilt he had felt for 
years, the missed events and holidays, the feeling of never having the 
energy and time to give his children the time they deserved, 
disappeared. His son had given him the greatest gift he could imagine 
getting. As he wiped the tears from his eyes he started to drive off 
confident with the knowledge, his son was becoming a good man. A man he 
would always be proud of. He also knew, maybe for the first time, his 
son was proud to be his son. 


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