Father Pleaaseee!

RESPONSIBILITY OR FEELINGS?

The kids are lovely. So cheerful so full of hope. I must say Aden has worked wonders here. He gives them financial aid. The kids are able to eat proper meals and have educations just like other normal ones their age. I'm so happy they have it better than we did. Life in the streets isn't charming at all and if I could I would erase all the memories. It brought me nothing but sorrow. From sleeping on empty stomachs to suffering from cold every night to people seeing us as nothing but thieves. A cancer to society.
Being the eldest, it was my job to take care of the family but somehow they ended up selling me. I know they must have had their reasons but to me no matter what nothing justifies it. How could they throw me out like if I was garbage? Was I that dispensable? After all, we have been through? These questions rang in my head over and over again. Yes, my foster parents may they rest in peace; were good people who loved me immensely but still, there is something about blood that makes it unique. But clearly, my family didn't care. You might think their life became better after their betrayal but no. They are still poor – out of the streets yes but still not doing too well.
These kids however don't need to know the cruelty of the world. At least for now their innocence is preserved. Even if later in life reality crashes in, they will at the very least have good memories to fall back on. Aden was in the kitchen helping out while Aurora was playing with them on the swing. Everyone was happy. Only laughter could be heard around.
Then of course as usual Aurora living up to her expectations went and fell from the swing. Hard. I swear this girl just has a passion for injuries. If she continues with this trend I'm sure soon she will be covered in self-inflicted tattoos. Thank God, knowing that I was going to be dealing with kids I had carried the first aid kit.
'Are you okay? Does it hurt badly? Come on say something?' Aden worriedly asked. It's funny for a guy who claims that he's oblivious to the ways of the world he was too concerned. It was dumbfounding. Anyway, I'm not a psychotherapist, and trying to reason with that knucklehead will get me nothing but a headache. As it is, despite dealing with patients every day her scream froze everything in me. This girl really knows how to put me on the edge. To make me worried and I hate that fact. Anyway, Patients first.
I ran over to Aurora quickly examining her bruise. It was bad but I've seen worse. Considering her jovial personality, she will be up and running again in no time. I cleaned, applied medicine, and wrapped up the wound and as expected she was up and about again leaving Aden and me behind.
'So that scared? One might think it was your woman who fell,'
'Aaron!' he exclaimed in a warning voice. Honestly, I knew I was pushing my limits but I had to. I keep having this uncomfortable feeling that he is only committing himself to the seminary because he is scared. Scared of shunning his kids, mistreating his wife, of dooming them all to street life, or even worse like turning out like his father. I have nothing against the priesthood. In fact, if I had it in me I would go for it but I believe one should get into it for passion having got a calling not to run away from helplessness or guilt. And Aaron felt guilty. He might get to fool all the others but not me. I have walked in his shoes. My heart crumbled every time my family slept hungrily, every time the police and sometimes even normal people were after us because they associated us with thieves. A life of no tomorrow. A life, uncertain of the next minute's survival. Anyone having gone through that is damaged no matter how successful he becomes in the future. It's impossible to scrap the past.
'No Aden. Assess your feelings. Look deep within yourself. You don't even need to tell me but at least be honest with yourself,'
'I am honest. I know what I'm doing. Being a priest is my calling and I won't let you disrupt me from my path,'
'And I am not. Let me ask you this, why did you run so fast to help her?'
'Because she is my responsibility,'
'Really now! Is that why you left the food to burn? Aren't the kids part of your responsibility? So then why? It's not like if you have any medical knowledge,'
'Stop creating a mountain out of nothing. I simply helped her just as how I would anyone else who is hurt. No enough of this.' He said then stood to walk away. I knew he was angry but I just couldn't hold back anymore. He can get mad at me but at least I've stopped him from making a serious mistake. That's what friends are for.
'Aden, celibacy isn't meant for you. Come to your senses. Stop punishing yourself.' With that, I left. Not ready to hear his excuses anymore.