Mr. John Edwin

Edwin

The morning digital alarm rang, beeping loudly throughout the small apartment building at 6:00 in the morning. It was Mr. John's neighbor's alarm clock. He didn't have an alarm clock. His major depressive disorder made it so that  he would never have the energy or the motivation to wake up in the morning, or anytime before noon, and, of course, he never had plans with his non-existent friends and his family who he never contacts. He rolled over in his bed, annoyed by the continuous sound. His brunette hair draped over his fair skin.

The noise stopped just in time for the knock at the door to be audible. Mr. John didn't get up until the fourth or fifth knock, as it was clear that this person was not going to stop.

"Who are you and why are you knocking on my door?" Mr. John asked impatiently after he flung the door open.

"H-Hi, are you John Edwin?" The teenage boy asked.

"Yeah, what the hell do you want?"

"Yeah, um, my name is Andrew, and, were you in a relationship with a woman named Mary Johnson about 15 years ago?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Um, Mr. Edwin... I'm your son."

"Yeah right, kid, how about you go fuck off."

"No, I promise, I'm your son."

"Oh yeah? Where's your mother?"

"She... She's not here."

"Well, come back when you have her with you."

"I said she's not here."

Mr. John stared back into the teenage boy's tear-filled eyes.

"She overdosed on heroin a few weeks ago..."

There was a long silence between the two.

Mr. John vaguely remembered when him and Mary Johnson were dating. After school, the two would hide behind a close dumpster, and, among other things, would either snort or shoot a variety of drugs. Mr. John had gone clean, after being forced to attend a number of AA meetings. Apparently, Ms. Mary could not bring herself to do the same.

Andrew's anger was apparent on his visage. Tears were rolling down his cheeks, glistening with the Sun's light. "I just wanted to meet you, but I guess that was a mistake."

"N-No, please, come in."

For hours, Andrew and Mr. John talked, mostly about Ms. Mary and Andrew's experiences with her. Usually, Mr. John would not have the energy or the mindset to talk to someone for this long. Usually, Mr. John would not talk to a stranger at all, or even his parents. However, this time it felt different. For once in a very, very long time, Mr. John was hopeful; for once, he was glad that he was able to see his son, even if he had never met him. For once, Mr. John was happy.

"Hey listen, I don't know where you're living, but if you want to live with me, you can. Again, if you want to." Mr. John had a grin on his face.

"You know, I think I might." Andrew smiled brightly.