The Gift

Chapter 10

X. As I go to our home, I saw police cars everywhere, also the media, of course. But me, I'm just standing still, staring. I don't have any idea what just happened but, the only thing I know is that, my dad is in there and he's in trouble. I run off the bicycle and get as near as I could into the door. I'm at the stairs when I saw my dad handcuffed and police surrounding him, reading his rights.

"You have the right to remain silent, if you don't remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law..." The police said.

I get to my dad and try to hold him but the police pushed me back.

"Later, kid. You can talk to your father later. I promise you, he'll not be hurt." The police said.

I go near to my aunt.

"What is happening?" I asked her.

"Your dad surrendered to the police." She answered.

"Is it me? Is it me that he surrendered? Is it me when I shouted at him last night that makes him think that he should surrender?" I asked her millions of times.

"No, it's not your fault. Right before your father came here, he already decided to but, before he surrenders, he asked me if he could see you in just a bit." She said.

Right before I even say a word, I hear a huge gunshot and my feet began to tremble and I have a bad feeling what it could be. And, I was right.

***

At the day of my dad's funeral, I never thought that I will feel that way. The way that I cursed him before that he shouldn't be my dad, I regret everything I said before. At the end of the day, I'm his son, and he's my son. With all the tough time I had, losing my dad is one of the hardest next to my mom's. Now, I'm just a man on my own with no parents at all.

I invited Jean and her family to come over but, they didn't show up in my dad's funeral. I couldn't care any less but to think of my dad and the last happy memories I had with him. And, to think of it over, it was like 9 years then, when our family is complete. At the time when I was nine, right before my birthday. We were at the park as my dad preached, and my mom and I was helping others at their work. It was an outreach program, though it's hard, but, it's the last memory we had that we were a complete family. Even few of people attended the burial of my dad. Just the co-church mate of my dad, others whom my dad helped before and a few cops that was hunting him before even pay their respects. The hard feeling is, I always have to let go. And speaking of letting go, I saw Jean at the front of our door the night after.

"I'm so sorry I can't attend in your dad's burial." Jean said.

"No, no, i-it's o-kay... I'm just y-you know, I have to rest, like right now?" I said trying to avoid her.

"That's why I'm here. Dad wants to talk to you." Jean said.

I had no choice back then but to go with her. The air was intense like something's going to happen. We reached their house and I found Dianne and Luke standing at the porch. Jean leads me to the sofa and left me with her father, Luke.

"So, son, I'm so sorry about your father. I'm sorry we can't go to your father's burial." Luke said.

"No, it's okay Luke. I know you're too busy with your job." I said.

"You know kid, can I ask you a favor?" he said.

And the whole conversation become so intense like it's 50 pounds of metal crate was putted on my back.

"Wha-what is it that I can help you with, Luke?" I asked him.

"You know, I'm running for the senate..."