Love Lost

Daddy Knows Best

Forth POV

After what seemed like hours endless wandering, I found myself parking my car in the Jamornhum Mansion. I was out of myself but for some reason, there was this pull that I needed to be there. I dragged my feet up the stairs and wanted to retire in my room for the night.

"Forth?" It was Dad. He was peeking through the door of the study where he usually relaxes. I need to pass by it on my way to my room.

I turned to look at him but I didn't say anything. His eyes widened.

"Son, you look dreadful. What happened?"

I remained silent. I don't know where to begin nor how to express what I was feeling.

"Oh Forth," He approached me and tapped my shoulder. "Come, let's go inside the study so we can talk about it."

Dad rounded an arm around me and led me inside. Next thing I knew, he was guiding me to sit down on the leather couch.

"Here Forth, use this to wipe your face. I'll just get us some drinks." Dad said while handing me the tissue dispenser. I unconsciously touched my face and was surprised that it was wet. I was in tears.

I accepted the tissue box and Dad left for a moment. When he returned, he had a tray containing  two glasses and a bottle of brandy. "I think this requires appropriate props for our gentleman's talk?"

Dad sat down beside me and placed the tray on the small table in front of us. He poured some liquor into the glasses. He grabbed one for himself and handed me the other one.

"Here son, drink this. It will relax you. Take all the time you need. Cry if you need to. When you're ready to talk, I'll just be here." Dad said as he took a sip of his drink.

I received the glass and drank it all in one go. The emotions inside me surging out as I gulped down the fiery liquid. It was bitter just like what I was feeling. The sudden warmth, the sudden clarity made my eyes water at the realization that Beam was nowhere to be found.

I placed the glass on the table and poured myself another serving of the brandy. Like the one before it, I finished it in a flash.

"Dad..." I whispered before turning to face my father.

"...I screwed up. I screwed up big time." I sobbed as the weight of my despair finally got me. "Beam is gone... I wanted to fix my mistake but he's gone. I don't even know where he is or how to contact him. I want to tell him I'm sorry and that I love him. But now I can't because he's gone. Beam is gone dad. Beam is gone..."

Dad rubbed my shoulder and said, "It's alright Forth, just let it out. You will feel better if you express your sentiments than just leaving it all inside."

With my father's reassuring hand on my shoulder, the emotions, all the sorrows of Beam's absence poured out of me. It was like some kind of sluice gate was opened and tears flooded our study.

"Dad... I lost Beam... I thought I can get him back but... He's gone dad... He's gone..." I wailed in front of my father.

Dad didn't say anything. He just moved closer and rounded an arm around my nape while rubbing my opposite shoulder. I cried for what seemed like hours. But dad just sat there beside me.

Until I suddenly felt this light feeling, like all my burdens were being lifted up. I already stopped crying and surprisingly all the tension left my body.

"Feeling better now son?" Dad finally made a remark after sitting quietly beside me.

"Yes dad. Thanks."

Dad poured a glass for each of us again. I claimed my serving and slowly sipped it unlike before. Dad did the same. Then, he made an astonishing revelation. "I know that Beam left for abroad Forth."