So, That's Your Dad? (Freddie Mercury)

Chapter Sixty Eight: November 24, 1991

       I hear constant knocking on my door, and it is annoying me. I have to answer eventually because I am pretty sure that it is just Joe, and he forgot his key once again. This is common. There have even been times when I would have to drive home from work so that I could let him in the house. It was like being fifteen all over again and having my dad bring the key over. But I open the front door to my house and I'm actually surprised by who I see. 

       "Hey Uncle Roger!" I greeted him and hugged him. He returned it with a side hug because he was holding Rufus with one arm. "How are you?" He asked me. "I'm fine. How are you?" I answered him. "Same old, same old." He answered. We both noticed our sons smiling at each other. "So, I was in the neighborhood. And I thought maybe we could go for a walk in the park with our sons, and we can go see your dad afterwards." Roger suggested. I looked at the time and I saw it was getting a bit late. But that's ok. I do really want to get out of the house for some time. 

       "Of course. Come inside while I get him ready." I tell my uncle and look down at my son who was still trying to interact with Rufus. Roger and his son both came in and took a seat on the couch. I quickly picked out a small pair of black pants for my son, especially if he would want to crawl around in the grass. If he wore another color then it would be obvious that he was playing around in dirt. I put them on and then put on his coat. He was protesting for a moment and refused to put his arm through the sleeve. But eventually I got him to cooperate. I picked him up and walked back to the living room. "Ok, we're ready." I told my uncle. 

       Two hours go by and both me and Roger are sitting on a bench as the sun was setting. I couldn't take my eyes off my son playing in the sand box, just to make sure that he was being nice to Rufus. It was to the point where Roger placed his hand on my shoulder and told me not to worry. "I know Uncle Roger, it's just that Freddie can be a little agressive sometimes. Hell, he hit Ben the other day." I tell Roger. Roger went wide eyed. "You're kidding." He commented. I shook my head. "No, I'm not. Ben was holding him and all of a sudden Freddie's hand just went right to Ben's nose." I answered and I couldn't help but laugh. Roger laughed too and then it died down once he sat there in deep thought. 

       "Tiffany, are you ok?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm fine." I answered. "No you're not. Tell me what's wrong." He said. I sighed and felt that tightness in my throat again. I was going to cry again. "I'm really worried about my dad. Yesterday, he told me that he's ready to go. I'm not ready for him to go if I'm being honest. But if he's sure that he's ready, then I guess that I have no choice but to accept it." I tell him as I started to cry. Crying soon turned into sobbing as I buried my face in my hands. "I don't want him to go. I'm going to miss him so much." I try to say but it was hard for me to speak. My uncle immediately wrapped an arm around me and did his best to comfort me. 

       "Tiffany, I may not completely understand what you are going through because I have never lost a father. But I am losing a friend. In fact one of my best friends. Me and your father have been through everything together for most of my adult life. I mean the band, we laughed a lot together and even argued a lot as well. I was even there when you were born. So I don't want him to go either. But know that I will always be there for you no matter what, and we're still family and we always will be." Roger explained. That did make me feel better but I was still sobbing. Because I could not stop thinking about what my dad said. 

       "Rufus! Put that bird down!" Roger yelled suddenly and got up from the seat. I now felt cold. I also looked up to see what was going on at the sandbox. I guess this was the sign that it was our time to go. I got up and wiped away my tears. But looked down because I did not want anyone to think there was something wrong with me. I picked up my son while Roger was fighting with Rufus over getting the bird that looked to be still alive. Damn. And I thought my son was somewhat agressive. "Rufus Tiger Taylor! Give me the bird!" Roger raised his voice. Rufus let go of the bird and Roger was able to let it fly away. We were both relieved that the bird was ok.