Social Pariah

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Lucas was preparing for another meeting with his real mother for the second time. He didn't know why he called her just to do this. All he knew was that he was thinking about learning more about his dad and the before he even understood what was happening, he was already calling her.

"Why did I even do this again?"

Lucas struggled on fixing the belt on his pants, staring at his own image at the mirror. He really did look like his father.

"When did I look like you, dad?"

 His father laughed at Lucas's scowl.

"You're a funny child. Of course, you would look like me. We're family after all."

Lucas pouted. "But I'm more handsome than you, right?"

A chuckle escaped his father's mouth. "Alright, alright. You are."

Lucas smiled at that memory. It was a big change for him. He usually would frown and try to forget his thoughts whenever he was thinking of his father's memories. He smiled once again in front of the mirror before getting his wallet from the bedside table and going out of the house.

Walking had never felt more peaceful for Lucas than today was. As he arrived on his destination, he couldn't help but sigh in relief after seeing the person he was going to meet.

"Hi, Mary."

Mary smiled. "Hi, son. It's been a short while. What made you invite me in this lovely cafe?"

Lucas scratched his head and sat down. "I've been thinking about some things lately. I want to know more about my father and what he had with you."

Mary's smile left her face. "You mean, my wrongdoing?"

Lucas shook his head. "I don't want to think of that. I just want to know what you thought of my dad when you first met and when you got to know him."

"Oh, I thought it was... Well, anyway, he was a fine man. I thought he was a rich businessman at first." Mary looked at the ceiling for a few seconds, as if reminiscing the scene itself. "He looked so calm and collected and so put-together. I almost thought he was snobbish."

Lucas nodded. "He does give off that vibe."

Mary laughed. "He turned out to be quite the opposite. He was like a class clown, always making jokes and laughing his ass off like his life depended on it." She put her hand on her forehead. "His jokes were the worst but they make a great day-to-day entertainment."

A silence fell between the two. Realizing what she had said, Mary shook her head. "Let me rephrase that. He wasn't an entertainment to me. He was a good friend, a great listener and a bad but unbelievably funny joker. I made a mistake of expressing my feelings to him. I knew that he was beginning to like me more than he should and my husband was just... I was so disappointed. "

Mary sighed, tears flowing from her eyes. "I'm sorry for doing that, Lucas. I'm sorry that you have to suffer of having no mother for your whole childhood."

Lucas smiled, his eyes watering. "It's alright. I have already forgiven you. But don't worry, you're wrong. I have my Mom with me. She was everything I could have ever asked for."

Mary smiled back, wiping her tears. "I'm glad your aunt is there with you."

Lucas couldn't help but agree. She might not be my real mother, but she is home to me and that thought alone is enough. I was never alone.