The Father She Was Told About
Chapter 04 - The Father She Was Told About
Emily had been told her father abandoned them.
That was Laura's version.
Frank learned this when Emily confronted him three days later.
She came to his house alone.
“You're Frank Miller?”
He stood in the doorway.
“Yes.”
“My mother says you're my father.”
Frank could barely speak.
Emily looked angry.
Not emotional.
Not hopeful.
Angry.
“She said you left.”
Frank shook his head.
“I was told you died.”
Emily stared at him.
“That makes no sense.”
“I know.”
“She says you were violent.”
Frank looked down.
“I was.”
That answer surprised her.
He continued.
“I never hurt you. You were still a baby. But I scared your mother.”
Emily crossed her arms.
“So she ran.”
“Yes.”
“And you never looked for us?”
Frank swallowed.
“I thought there was no baby to look for.”
Emily's anger shifted.
Just slightly.
“What about Mom?”
“I was told she left because she hated me.”
Emily laughed bitterly.
“So everyone lied to everyone.”
Frank nodded.
For a long moment, they stood in silence.
Then Emily looked around his small, messy house.
“This is where you live?”
“Yes.”
She looked disappointed.
Frank understood.
She had probably imagined a missing father differently.
Maybe successful.
Maybe impressive.
Not a tired man in a stained T-shirt.
Emily stepped backward.
“I don't know what I'm supposed to do with this.”
Frank nodded.
“You don't have to do anything.”
She turned to leave.
Then he said, “I'm proud of you.”
Emily stopped.
But she did not turn around.
“That doesn't mean anything yet.”
Then she walked away.
Frank closed the door.
She was right.
May you like
Being a father was not something he could claim because of blood.
He would have to earn whatever came next.
