Stranger

06 | The Stranger

The inside of the stranger's house resembled the condition of the outside; the boards were creaking, hinges were rusting and most of the furniture was wooden. It was like an ancient cabin inside. The stranger led us into his dining room and gestured for us to sit at the dining room table, giving us a nervous smile as he did. 

Shouldn't we be the nervous ones? 

The chairs squeaked when Ryan and I sat down, followed by the stranger. He looked a bit older than middle aged, the wrinkles were pronounced when he smiled. Stubble accommodating grey hairs covered his chin and the remaining hair on his head was brunette with grey streaks. His eyes were a dark blue and the whites of his eyes showed red veins. It looked like he hadn't slept for a week.

"Oh, sorry, did you want some tea or coffee?" He propped up his body and held onto the sides of the chair, preparing to get up. I raised my hand and shook my head. Ryan didn't respond at all. The stranger frowned.

"I'm guessing you're wondering who I am?" Of course we were. I looked at him as if to say so. "My name is Harry... Harry Briggs."

"Briggs?" I was taken aback and Ryan looked equally surprised. I thought it was some strange coincidence but Harry gave me an assertive look and then the thought came to mind.

"What? You're not...?" I covered my mouth in shock. My eyes filled up with tears. I leant back on the chair, trying to control the intense feelings I was experiencing. I felt Ryan hold my hand tightly. Just as soon as the feeling of joy filled me, anger came too. My eyes narrowed and I slapped my hand on the table. 

"But you left?! You left us!" A tear dropped from my cheek and left a mark on the wooden table.

"I didn't leave willingly." Harry looked down at his hands and twiddled his thumbs. His voice quietened, "it was your mother."

"My mother?! How dare you use my mother as an excuse, she had nothing to do with you leaving!"

"Ha, your mother can certainly tell some lies." He chuckled. Seeing my displeasure at him finding humour in the situation, he apologised. "I'm sorry. I know this is serious and you want to know what's been going on."

"Well get to it then." Ryan interrupted. I smirked. I didn't normally like him being rude to people, but this time, it was welcomed.

"Your mother cheated on me when you were two years old and when I found out, she chose the man over me." Harry explained. "I accepted a divorce and expected to see you, but your mother said she didn't want me to see you ever again, that her new man would be your father." The memory seemed to come rushing back to Harry as his face filled with sadness. I was so confused; that didn't sound like something my mother would do.

Harry stared at me. "I tried to see you, I really did. I came to the house, I rang the phone so many times but she would turn me away. Her new bloke must have told her it was harassment because she eventually got a restraining order out against me. If I came to the house or got within 100 metres of her or you, I would be arrested." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"What happened to the guy she cheated on you with?" I asked.

"He cheated on her." Harry smirked. "I guess you could say that's karma." 

I shook my head with disbelief over the whole situation. Everything I'd came to know, even the mother I loved with every ounce in me, suddenly collapsed. Everything I knew, no longer was true.

"I know this must be hard." Harry rested his palm on my hand but I pulled it away. I didn't know who I could trust any more. He could be lying to try to make me hate my mother, a way to get back at her for cheating on him. He could be lying about everything.