Important to me

Dad

"That's not very nice" said the person who was now behind him. "Dad it's not very nice I haven't seen you or spoke to you for near 3 months" Said Max "what you even doing here"? "Out on a job" Replied Max's dad "don't be like that son you know how things are with your mum and everything""Don't even dare" said an angry Max "mum doesn't stop us seeing you in fact she encourages it she doesn't want us to not see you even though she wants nothing to do with you can't blame her though.""Look you know I miss you" said Max's dad "you're growing up now look at you I wish we had regular contact but with the girls and everything and Sam is about to start high school you know things change." "Well the last couple of weeks have been hell" replied Max "you do know Megan and Cody got released by United."? "No oh my god that's awful and they were so good too" replied Max's dad "why on earth would they get rid of them."?"Well if you'd picked up the phone maybe you'd know" replied Max "but anyway don't worry because mum's got our backs like she always has.""I've always got your back Max" replied his dad "I'm sorry." "Did you tell him Ben."?"No.""Well maybe it's time that you did it has gone on too long" Not long after leaving Max his dad Ben returned home where a women was waiting for him. "I'll tell him well I'll tell them all when the time is right" replied Ben "he hates me so he will probably hate me even more when I tell him they all will." "They'll understand love" replied the woman. "Trust me they won't" insisted Ben. "Haddock and chips for tea is that alright"?"Yeah mum" Max who had not long returned home was keen to get away he didn't want to tell Gillian he'd run into his dad as he was embarrassed. "He seemed a bit shifty" insisted Cody walking into the living room."Teenager doing exams hardly surprising" replied Gillian "anyway come on you lot help me set the table." "Scotland really and how much is that gonna cost"?"Fees are covered anyway we haven't made it past the second round yet" The family were sat round the table having tea and Megan was explaining that the school team were now in a mini league against teams from around the area with some qualifying to play in a tournament in Scotland over the summer."It would be a good opportunity luv if you qualified" smiled Gillian. "You wouldn't mind me going"? Smiled a surprised Megan. "Of course not" smiled Gillian getting distracted "Max what on earth is going on with you tonight"? "I bumped into dad" admitted Max."And"? Replied Gillian hardly reacting. "I asked him why he hasn't been in touch" replied Max "I gave him the truth told him I wasn't happy with him.""Well he's got too much of a life to even care" said Gillian hardly reacting. "What"? Said a confused Max. "Nothing" insisted Gillian "So girls when is the next round"? she was changing the subject."You were a bit off with me before and I was wondering why.""I wasn't I was just a bit you know uncaring it's like that when it comes to your dad he's a waste of space I don't care about him" Max was chatting to Gillian as he washed the dishes. "Well at this moment I feel the same" said Max "I didn't even mention Oxford to him I told him about the girls I thought it would make him feel a bit guilty he asked about it seemed shocked but apart from that he wasn't too bothered." "Yeah well when people find something else they move on" snapped Gillian "anyway when do you break up for half term the girls break up this Friday we could go somewhere next week have a day out"? "You keep changing the subject" insisted Max. "I don't" protested Gillian "you're worse than the girls they're like that very observant." "He left her what do you expect"? It was about an hour later and Max was talking to the girls upstairs. "I know but she still mentions him" said Max "now it's like she doesn't even care.""Max I don't mean this in a nasty way but back off" insisted Megan "mum doesn't like talking about dad it's understandable.""I appreciate you coming to see me." "Dad despite everything I still want to see you I might be mad but it doesn't mean I don't love you.""I know son" It was the next day and Max who was desperate for answers had arranged to meet his dad in the park. "The girls were not very happy when I mentioned you yesterday mum was the same" admitted Max."Well it's no surprise" admitted Ben."What do you mean"? Asked Max."Son I have messed up I can't deny that" admitted Ben "there are things that I regret""Like what"? Asked Max. "Leaving you the girls and Sam" admitted Ben "yeah things went a bit bad with your mum but I still hated leaving you" there was a pause. "I'm a bit cold" said Max "can we go inside somewhere get a drink maybe go back to yours"?"There's a cafe down the road" said Ben "I'll get you a hot chocolate.""Somewhere a bit more private would be better" said Max "there's loads I want to talk to you about.""I haven't got that long today" Insisted Ben "I've got to get back soon.""To what"? Asked a confused Max. "Shifting boxes in my flat" said Ben "a load I need to sort out haven't long moved in.""You just mentioned going to a cafe with me though" said Max "now you're binning me off""I'm not binning you off" said Ben "listen everything I do for you is to protect you." "Protect me? I don't need protecting" insisted Max "Dad stop acting weird.""I'm not acting weird" said Ben with a distressed look on his face."Dad you're being unfair" Snapped Max "all this what you keeping from me"? "Max grow up" snapped Ben "not everything is about you." "Well it never is when it comes to you" said Max "you don't care about anything but yourself." "Now that is bang out of order" shouted Ben losing his temper "just go get out of my sight." "No" said a firm Max "I'm your son you've got another son and two daughters at home." "I know that" said Ben "but what am I supposed to do when"? ..... "When, what?" asked Max. "You're like a dog with a bone" said Ben "but if you want the truth." "The truth"? Said a confused Max. "I'm sorry" said Ben "but you will see why I kept this from you but I think it's time you knew." "This is Emily" Max and Ben had gone back to Max's flat where sat in high chair was a baby who looked about one. "She's six months old" said Ben "and she's your sister I didn't wanna break it to you in a conversation I thought it would have been insensitive." "You don't mind me asking is she ok"? Asked Max noticing the baby had a breathing tube attached to her. "No if you want the truth" said Ben "she was born premature in intensive care for the first six weeks of her life and she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was 3 months old she's having treatment". "Dad I'm so sorry" said a saddened Max "if you would have told me I would have"...."How could I have told you"? Insisted Ben "you're 17 years old.""Exactly" said Max "I'm old enough." "You're not" said Ben "I didn't know how to break it to you.""It's been hell" continued Ben "me and Grace have struggled at times we didn't know how to deal with it""But treatment is going well though"? Asked Max. "It's stage three" admitted Ben "she's got a 50/50 chance, chemotherapy is ongoing then surgery is an option transplants have also been discussed". "I'm so sorry dad" said a saddened Max."Don't be" said Ben putting his arm around his son. "Do the rest know"? Asked Max."I don't think the girls will take it well" said Ben "they don't even know they've got a sister.""You're their dad though" said Max "they will want to help you be there for you." "I don't know son" said Ben "to be honest I don't know about anything these days" there was a knock on the door. "I was just seeing how things were and"..... A shocked Gillian had entered the flat to come face to face with her son. "Max" said a shocked Gillian. "Mum" said Max "what you doing here"?"I'll put the kettle on" said Ben "Grace should be back soon but I'm sure she won't mind" "So you knew and didn't say anything"?"Yeah I've been supporting your dad and grace right through" Ben, Max, and Gillian sat on the sofa chatting. "But you're not together anymore" said a confused Max."Doesn't mean I don't care about him" insisted Gillian. "You should have told us though" said Max. "I would have done when the time was right" insisted Gillian "like you're dad said how do you break news like that"? "Tell the girls and Sam though" said Max ."I will" said Gillian "Sam I don't know how he'll deal with it." "He will be fine" insisted Max. "You're mum's been great" insisted Ben "but you do have to understand this has been an uphill struggle for everybody""Poor kid" said a saddened Max."I know luv" said Gillian "but one day at a time we will tell the girls and Sam tomorrow and from there we face the next step.""How can you be so brave"? Asked Max."I'm not son" admitted Ben "I'm just trying but it's not always working.""it's ok dad" said Max "I'm here for you now.""Come here you" said an emotional Ben. The three of them just hugged. Nothing else mattered now there were more important things to consider."Poor dad and Emily.""I know but you do realise my reasons for keeping it from you"? "Of course mum" It was the next day and Gillian had finally broken the news to the girls about their dad and sister."Can we go and see dad"? Asked Cody. "He'd love to see you" insisted Gillian. "All that moaning and there's people out there with bigger problems it puts life into perspective" admitted Megan."We've got a little sister though" said Cody "I can't believe it.""She's gorgeous too" said Gillian. "And she is gonna be ok"? Asked Megan."They don't know luv but it's looking that way" said Gillian "she is responding well to treatment, but with this type of cancer they just can't predict the recovery" it was too much for an upset Megan who had started crying. "Your dad doesn't want you to feel like this" said a kind Gillian "he doesn't want you to worry" "Can't help it" sobbed Megan."Oh Luv" said Gillian "I know how hard this is, not only the bombshell but then that she's ill but something your dad said the other day I want you to take with you, when there is life there is hope, there's always a chance and Emily is getting the best possible treatment so there is hope, you can't speculate at the minute because we simply don't know it could all go to plan""She's just so young though" said Cody "how is that fair? She's a baby.""I think you should give your dad a ring" said Gillian "it looks like you need to speak to him to clear things up.""What do we say to him though?" asked Megan "what if we say the wrong thing?""Trust me your dads been through it all" insisted Gillian "so anything you say to him will be nothing to what he's seen and heard already, don't worry about it your dad will just want to speak to you""Bless them I know but they seemed ok"? It was about an hour later and after the girls had rung their dad Gillian was checking up on how they had taken things and was on the phone to Ben. "Yeah fine" responded Ben "Megan was a bit upset but they were really brave and understanding we had a really mature conversation.""They do want to come and see you" said Gillian. "Oh I know" said Ben "they're coming weekend.""Sam took it well" insisted Gillian. "You told him"? Said a shocked Ben."Yeah" said Gillian "I don't see why I shouldn't have told him I'm protective of him that's why I keep some things from him because he worries but he understands things, he's getting better at that as he progresses, he's just sensitive but so are the girls, and even Max, may not sound like it considering how tough he acts but Max has a real soft side.""With Sam I want to give him the same opportunities and treat him the same as everybody else" said Ben because why shouldn't he be treated like that? he may struggle but he's no different to anybody else he's just as important as the girls and Max, but he's just been so through so much in his life and I just don't want to hurt him.""Well he doesn't wanna hurt you" insisted Gillian "he wants to come and see you too you've all got the support". "I know" said Ben "but I feel guilty in a way because I worship Emily and I feel like I'm putting it all on the kids, the girls have had heartbreak, Max is transitioning, Sam is super amazing and is just taking everything in his stride showing everybody anybody can do it and I hate seeing the kids upset as a parent that's what you try to avoid, putting misery on the kids and letting them enjoy their childhood.""It's not your fault though" said Gillian "it's nobody's fault, nobody made Emily ill.""I know but they're our kids" said Ben "and I've upset them enough leaving them when all this is over I am gonna make sure they don't have any more setbacks.""You can't guarantee that though" said Gillian "nobody can we can't predict the future all we can do for our kids as parents is just look out for them and try to protect them and when bad things do happen be there for them and help them in every way possible". "Yeah well we are all in this together" said an emotional Ben "and the girls and Max and Sam I will do everything I can for them.""You're being harsh on yourself though" said Gillian "the kids are more upset because they're concerned about you and Emily they're not angry at you for not telling them they love you and if they didn't ask questions and didn't want to see you I'd find that pretty odd because it would mean they don't have feelings but they're teenagers, hormones so of course they've got feelings.""And the least thing you want to do is pile more on them" said Ben "but when Emily's better I'm gonna take them on holiday anything they want.""They don't want anything off you" said Gillian "just you.""Well they've got me" insisted Ben "and I'm sick of letting them down but no more.""Dad she's gorgeous hi Emily"! It was a couple of days later and the kids had gone round to see Ben and Emily. "Thanks for coming" smiled Grace "you're always welcome here.""She seems happy" said Cody "and looks well considering if you don't mind me saying.""She's a normal baby" insisted Ben "she has the occasional bad day but when I look at her I don't see her as ill she's my daughter she's perfect.""She likes you" remarked Grace smiling to Cody. "And anyway let's chat" smiled Ben "Codes, Megan "how's things? I won't bore you with school as I know you've had enough"!"Alright" insisted Megan "playing football at school we're going to Scotland over the summer to play a tournament.""You didn't mention that" chipped in Cody. "Known about it for ages" said Megan "I'm going if Mum gives me the go ahead and you're coming too you're in the team.""Yeah" replied a dull Cody. "And I bet you your mum doesn't know anything about it" laughed Ben "you'll drop it on her last minute this one is full of surprises we could be in the middle of something and she just comes out with stuff""Well I haven't really mentioned it she knows I'm playing for the team" said Megan "but I don't know how to ask her I'm gonna be away for pretty much the whole summer if she agrees""The awkward chat" laughed Grace "it's always like that you're like how am I gonna tell somebody this?"And we've got an Oxford genius over there Maths wizkid and Sam is on target in every one of his subjects at school" insisted Ben. "Aw you do yourself and your dad proud" smiled Grace "it's brilliant what you're doing.""They always make proud" smiled Ben "I can't believe how you've all handled this it means so much you've come round.""Dad we want to come round" said Max "what would that say about us if we didn't? We're human beings, human beings with a heart, we care about you and Emily and Grace""I know" said Ben "but I know it's hard for you.""Love thy neighbour as you love yourself, treat others as you'd wish to be treated" said Cody "if we had a problem you'd be straight round to ours it's about giving and taking, with family you care for one an another and everybody else cares back.""I think GCSE RE has had a positive influence on you" laughed Ben."Oi" laughed Cody "we're always nice unlike you winding us up.""Come on here you lot" said Ben "give us a hug" the family shared a hug. "You've got such bright futures" said Ben "I'm so proud of every one of you.""It's all down to you and mum" insisted Max "you've brought us up.""It's going to be ok" insisted Ben "I promise and whatever life throws at us we've got each other, and that's enough to fight it.""And it's enough to come out as a winner" said Megan "you don't meet somebody with success who hasn't suffered first you've gotta get through the lows before you can climb up to the highs it's like a mountain.""Positive thinking" said Grace "negative thinking doesn't help you, it doesn't get you anything.""It doesn't insisted Max "life's like a train you don't know how many stops you're gonna get before you get to your destination.""And our destination is forwards" said Ben "we know that we're ready for this now we're together."