The Little Things ✔️

Surprises

I was so shocked. My dad, music? This couldn't be happening. I must be dreaming! He had always been so against me doing it so to see him take a interest in it was quite bazar. I'm sat in the hall waiting for orchestra to start and guess who walks in, my dad. But- I thought- junior not senior? I'm so confused. So he walks in and calls everyone to attention.
"Urm hello everyone I'm your new conductor Mr Jones. And I will be teaching you for the rest of this year. Any questions?" Everyone slowly turns around and looks at me. Oh great they know it's my dad. I just smile awkwardly and put my head down.
"Are you Alice's dad?" Someone asks. My dad laughs a little then speaks.
"Yes I am. But there shouldn't be any problem with that should there young man."
"No I was just asking." The guy says. The rehearsal goes quite well actually my dad is pulling out all the puns and I think people like him. I never knew my dad had a fun side. A side I actually like. All I know him as is the shouty parent that drinks all day and argues with my mother. I'm happy I'm now able to prove I do have a good dad and not a bad one. Mat was always checking I was ok with this whole thing which I found adorable. Finally the rehearsal was over. Everyone started packing up and leaving but I want to see what's going on with my dad. He's never in the 17 years I've been alive been like this. I walk off the stage and go up to him.
"Dad, please explain everything." I say looking up at him. He stops what he's doing and looks at me. He sighs and looks out the window on the other side of the hall.
"I really don't know where to begin..." He says
"Ok well tell me why your here first then." I say.
"I'm here because I love music."
"Ok but why are you so against me doing it then?" I say folding my arms.
"I never have been Al I've always wanted you to do music but I'm afraid of your mum.." He says looking away from my eyes again.
"Really? You've let me go through 17 years of you disagreeing with me just because your afraid of my mother?! Get away from her then! Your old enough!" I say. I'm starting to get angry. All these feeling I've had over 17 years are just coming out now in one big load.
"I'm so sorry Al."
"You should be!"
"Al please calm down!" He says.
"Why!? After all this time?! You just LEFT me and Patrick with her and vanished off the face of the earth for 5 bloody years! Do you really just expect me to forgive you?!"
"No I don't Al, I never would. But I want you to know I regret doing that I always have and this is my way of making it better. I want to be part of your life. Im moving out, away from your mum and I want you and Patrick to join me." He says in a calm voice. I can't help but stop. Freeze, he's actually wanting me in his life. I feel my face burn and eyes sting and a tear roll down my check. He cares. They are the words I never thought I would hear come out of my fathers mouth, never in a million years.
"Al please don't cry! You don't have too." He says. I run into his arms and he catches me and pulls me into a huge huge. I cry into his jumper and he holds me like a father should.
"I love you Al."
"I love you too dad." I say quietly.

Another reason to add to our jar. Reason 28 The time my dad made me feel like he cares.