Faith

Chapter 1

Graduation day (2001)

"Mommy's so proud of you!" mom kissed and hugged me tight as we went down the stage upon receiving my medals. At an early age of 12 years old, I am the youngest who graduated from elementary or also known as primary school at Academy for Gifted Children in Ontario, Canada.

My smile faded upon seeing my dad's poker face. Nothing new, he is not pleased with what I achieved.

"Congratulations," the only thing he said and even before I could say thank you, he started walking towards outside.

I felt my mom's hand on my shoulder. When I faced her, I saw her apologetic look, "Pardon your dad, Xavier. He's just tired and bored. You know how much he hates events like this."

Well, what's new? I thought. He is always like that. He never showed me that he is of proud me. Sometimes I even think he does not love me.

"Why don't we just have our dinner at home? It's much comfortable there," dad said, contradicting my mom when she suggested that we should eat in a restaurant to celebrate.

She sighed, "We should celebrate, Francisco. Your son is the valedictorian!"

"Then we celebrate at home. We're just going to eat anyway."

"Francisco—"

Before the argument gets worse, I just took my dad's side, "I think dad's right, mom. Nothing beats a good celebration in your own home. 'Sides, it's way comfortable, as dad said."

Mom looked at me, scrutinizing, "Are you sure?"

I gave her a smile, trying to make it real, "Of course."

After about 45 minutes of arguing, we finally rode our car and went straight home.

Mom, who is sitting in the front seat, faced me, "How about throwing a party on weekend, honey?"

"That sounds great," I forced a smile. My positive mood immediately turned negative because of my dad's behavior. I know I should get used to it. I mean, he is my dad and I grew up witnessing his intolerable behavior towards me so by now I should have got used to it, but I still cannot avoid getting pissed.

"What for? It's not as if he graduated from college," there he is again.

"But your son is a valedictorian!" mom again repeated her reason.

"He's not the first child who became a valedictorian in that school," he continued driving, not managing to look either at me or mom.

"Couldn't I consider that party to be also a good bye party for me and my friends, dad?"

"Are all of you going to die?"

"Francisco!" Mom gave him a warning look.

Damn. He is seriously getting on my nerves. But even so, I managed to be calm, "Good bye doesn't always apply to dead people, dad. We already graduated from primary school and not everyone of us are going to the same school."

"Whatever. But don't expect me to be there."

"Way better," I whispered.

"Are you saying something?"

"Naw," I looked outside the window. This is my graduation day. While my friends are celebrating with their parents who expressed great pleasure, here I am, stuck in this damn car, being a li'l bit sarcastic with my dad.

Dinner did not go out fine. Again, the three of us: mom, dad and I, had an argument over which school I am going to.

"That school's too expensive," dad would complain when mom mentions a school.

"But that's not a problem. He can go to any school. Money's not a problem and he's smart."

He dropped the fork and dinner knife. "I don't care where school he's going to. I'm done," he stood up and went out of the dining room.

Mom held my hand, "Again, pardon him."

I stopped eating and looked at her. "I can't even feel he's my dad. Eversince," I stood up and went straight to my room.

While watching television, I heard a knock before my room's door slowly opened. It is Mom. "May I come in?" she asked with hesitation.

"Yeah, sure," I made a space on the sofa for her.

"Xavier, I know you're too disappointed with your dad, and I want to apologize for his behavior."

I sighed, "You shouldn't be sorry, mom. It's not you who's being impossible."

"But it's still my obligation to explain him."

"How would you explain his behavior, mom? I grew up with him always like that. He never changed."

"In the right time you'll understand why, Xavier."

"Aren't tonight's the right time? Am I adopted? Just say it straight, I can accept it. Just be honest."

She was obviously surprised with my assumption, "No, no! Of course not!"

"Then what is it?"

"I'll tell you in the right time. I just want you to be more patient, alright?"

I sighed, "Everything's becoming truly confusing."

"Just forget I told you something."

I looked at mom, "Are you happy with dad, mom?"

She smiled and slowly nodded, "I am."

"I don't see it that way."

She chuckled, "Believe me, I do."

I did not say anything and just looked at the television. Yet, I cannot understand anything anymore with what I am watching.

"Xavier?"

I looked at her then at the rectangular box she is giving me. I took it and looked again at mom, puzzled, "What's this?"

"Just open it."

I slowly opened the box; it exposed a necklace with a cross pendant.

"Happy graduation and congratulations, baby. I'm very proud of you," she hugged me tight.

"Thank you, mom," I stood up, grabbed my medals and let her wear it. "Those belongs to you. Keep it, a'right?" I gave her a smile but this time I do not have to force it.

"Oh, Xavier," she stood up and hugged me tight again.

I hugged her back, "I love you so much, mom. More than anything."

"Promise me you won't marry yet," I heard her sob.

I laughed, "Mom, I'm only 12 years old."

"No one could tell—"

"I still want to study, mom."

"You never fail to make me proud, you know that?"

"And I want nothing in this world but to make you proud."

She freed from our hug. While teary eyed yet smiling she said, "It's getting late. You better sleep and tomorrow, prepare for the visit of our relatives," she chuckled.

"I'm expecting that already," I chuckled.

"Good night, Xavier," she kissed my cheek. "Why, you're already taller than me," she smiled and walked towards the door.

I chuckled. "Good night, mom. See you tomorrow."

She slowly closed the door with a smile on her face. It has been a few minutes since mom went out but I stayed standing while watching the door. Dad might be treating me differently but mom shows otherwise. I grew up aware that she is always there for me. She never failed to show me how much she loves me. As her only child, people often call me mama's boy but I do not care. I love my mom so much. Everything I do is for her.

Mom instilled good values to me. What I am today is because of my mom.