Like Father, Like Son

Life of Eric

A month after Suzy was ripped away from her own husband, she found out she was carrying his child. Furious, her folks still were, they allowed her to keep the child as long as it would never know it's father. When Suzy reluctantly agreed, the Dravens moved away from Gotham all the way to Detroit. And in the month of February, a beautiful baby boy was born. Suzy loved him already but fate can be cruel. Due to the complications of childbirth along with the limited medical practices of the time, Suzy had died the day after little Eric was born.

In spite of the tragedy, Daniel and Biyu genuinely loved their grandson. Raising him like their own son. Matter of fact, they had him believe he was their child. Such a charade went on for years until 1981. At 16, Eric had to clean the attic while his grandparents went out to shop. While digging through old newspapers and dusty novels, he came across a peculiar thing; a journal. A pink and turquoise notebook with the title of "Suzy Draven" on the front. Curious by the minute, Eric opens to the first page.

"March 15th, 1960

Happy birthday to me! School's still full of jerks and mom and dad are still being cheap.

I literally had to buy this book for myself. Pathetic, isn't it?"

The next page:

" June 4th, 1960

It's been a long while since I wrote in this. But, finally! School's out! For three whole months, no more jerk classmates or useless teachers! Maybe mom and dad and I can go somewhere nice for our vacation. I hope that would be it. They deserve to go somewhere better than this dump we live in."

At the next page, there was another gap in the dates. Four years later;

"August 10th, 1964,

I just met this clown today. He was weird but kinda cute. We even went to a cafe and talked a lot. He wanted to be a comedian or a professional clown. I don't know why but, I can see a future with him. We can move to the suburbs with a white picket fence, get married and have a kid or two. It sounds silly. It all sound so stupid and silly. But, I can't help it. Can I?"

Eric wanted to know more when, out of the book, a note and a picture fell into the ground. The ladder held an image where a young couple were in a living room, smiling at the camera. As for the letter, it read;

"Hey, Eric/Celine

I don't know how to write this. You weren't here yet, so I didn't know what you'll be like. Though, judging by her kicks, I take it that you're still an active one. Anyway, the reason why I'm writing this is because I want to tell you about your father. I want to wait until you're at least 16. I would send you to school and place this note in your lunchbox. Grandma and grandpa never wanted you to know but you deserve to. Your father's name was Arthur Fleck. I don't know if he would still be living but he was a good man. Odd by most people but, when you look past that, he was the best person in the world. Could even be mayor if given the chance. His mother was also a sweetheart too. With them, I became such a fan of Murray Franklin. I even wanted to name you after him. Laugh all you want, I'm doing just that while writing this. Still, had he knew, Arthur would've adored you to no end. He never knew his dad either, but he would've given his all to be the father he pictured his own as. He would've made you laugh with his jokes, cook amazing food and be as supportive as a parent should. You two would've been two peas in a pod. I just know it. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. Grandma and grandpa didn't like me marrying him and got our union annulled. But they love you. And so do I. Forgive me.

Your mother,

Suzy."

Eric could not believe what he was reading. He was so upset that, once the Dravens returned, he showed them the note and the picture. Thus, a fight ensued. Culminating in Daniel taking the note and throwing it into the fireplace. All Eric could keep was the photo in secret.

A while later, something terrible happened. A riot broke out in the streets thanks to some folks taking inspiration from Gotham. Many were killed, including Daniel and Biyu when their house was set on fire. The only survivor of the arson was Eric who now felt truly alone in the world. The riots lasted for a week until the police managed to get them under control. As for Eric, he was homeless when a nice family, the Websters, took him in. Ushering a blossoming romance with him and the daughter, Shelley. A while later, the news broke out. Talking more and more about the infamous Arthur Fleck for he was the sole reason the recent riots broke out.

Though shocked, Eric decided to go to Gotham to know more about his old man. So, after much begging, the whole family had traveled to Gotham's Arkham Asylum. There, Eric would have his fate sealed.