A Thousand Tomorrows

Chapter 3

When he left the house ten minutes later, he didn't mumble a single goodbye to anybody in particular. Luke came teary eyed into the entryway of the living room, his eyes wide open, forehead creases with worry.

"Dad, wait" Luke ran out the door, his untied tennis shoes flopping with every step.

Ben in tow, Liz followed, horrified at the scene playing out. The can waited out front and with out looking back, Andrew helped the driver load his suitcases into the trunk.

Luke stopped a few feet away, chest heaving. "Dad, where are you going?"

Andrew hesitated, his eyes on Luke, "Never mind."

"But dad," Luke took a step closer, "When are you coming home"

"I'm not." He looked at Liz then back at Luke. "This is it son." Andrew walked to the passenger door. "Be good for your momma."

"But dad... I've got a soccer game Friday; you promised you'd be there!" The boy was frantic, his words breathless and clipped. "Dad, don't go!"

Andrew opened the car door.

"Wait!" Liz stormed barefoot across the damp grass. Ben stayed behind in one spot, watching, his thumb in his mouth. Liz jabbed her finger in the air. "You can't leave now, Andy. Your son is talking to you"

"Don't do this Liz" Andrew shoot her a warning look. He lowered himself a few inches to the passenger seat. "I have nothing to say."

"Dad!" Luke looked from Andrew to Liz and back again. "What is happening, where are you going?"

Andrew bit his lip and gave a curt nod to Luke. "Good bye son."

"Fine!" Liz screamed the word, her voice shrill and panicked. "Leave, then" She bent over, her knees shaking. Tears ran in rivers down her face. "Go ahead and leave. But if you go now, don't ever come back. Not ever!"

"What?" Luke looked desperate and sick, his world spinning out of control. He looked at his mother. "Don't say that, Mom. Don't tell him not to come back!"

Liz's eyes never left Andrews face. "Stay out of this Luke. If he doesn't want us he can go." She raised her voice. "Do you hear me, Andy? Don't come back!"

What happened next would be part of their lives as long as morning followed night. Luke's father looked once more at the three of them standing on the lawn. Then he climbed into the back seat, shut the door, and the cab pulled away.

"Dad!" Luke screamed his name and took off running.

The sound frightened Ben. He buried his face in his hand and fell to his knees, rocking forward and calling out, "Mama... mama... mama..."

Liz went to him. "Shhh. It's okay." She rubbed his back. Why was this happening? And why hadn't there been any warning? She was dizzy with shock, sick to her stomach and barely was able to stand as she watched Luke chase after his fathers cab.

Never did the can slow even a little, but all the while Luke kept running. "Dad! Dad, wait!" Five houses down, seven, ten. "Don't go, Dad! Please!"

Each word hit Liz like a Mack truck. When should couldn't take another minute, she screamed after him, "Luke, get back here!"

But he wouldn't come, wouldn't stop running. All the way to the end of the block, with the speed he had gotten from his father, he ran until the cab was gone from sight. Then for ten minutes, he stood there. A light haired eight year old boy, standing on the corner staring after a can that was never coming back.

In a small way, Liz was almost glad Andrew was gone.

Sure, a few hours earlier she'd been willing to fight for their marriage. But that was when she thought things were similar. She could understand his confusion, what with his soccer career in limbo.

But to be embarrassed by Ben?

Ben was her son, a part of her. Because of his disability, he'd never be capable of the kind of low, mean spirited act his father had just committed. No, Ben would always have a kind, simple heart, but Andrew would miss that - the same way he'd miss everything about Ben since the day he was diagnosed.

Even as she stood there, willing Luke to turn around and come home, not quite believing her marriage was over, she felt her resolve building. There was no loving a man who didn't live his own son. If Andrew didn't want to be a father to Ben, she'd love the boy enough for the both of them. She would survive, even if she never heard from Andrew Hemmings again.

She focused on Luke once more, his little boy shoulders slumped forward as he waited, facing the empty shot where the cab has disappeared. He was crying, no doubt. She could almost she his smudged tear stained cheeks and the slack jawed look in his face. Was he feeling the was she felt? Abandoned? Overcome with despair?

A strange thought hit her, and suddenly fear had the upper hand.

Because the thought was something she hadn't considered until that moment. Yes, she would survive and certainly Ben would be okay without Andrew. But Luke adored his father; he always had. And if the boy's slumped shoulders were any indication, Luke might not bounce back the way she and Ben would.

Rather,meh might never be the same again.