WHAT YOUR FATHER SAYS ✓

14

CHAPTER 14
Fantasia on a Theme — Ralph Vaughan Williams

//

My mother came to pick me up from badminton today.

I was playing with Rhea, trying to keep my mouth shut and focusing on the game more. But my mother interrupted with just a glance in my direction.

So I bid farewell to Rhea and smiled at my mother.

We had to wait outside of my father's work place. The two of us sat in the car as we waited, my mother on her phone as I stared out of the window. I caught of a homeless man who kept greeting people as they walked past. I watched him and his frail dog, nuzzling into each other and the loose coins in my jacket pocket were felt strongly.

So, I couldn't resist the urge. I opened the car door and went up to the homeless man. I gave him all I had, I had notes and coins that I never used because whatever I wanted, I purchased online. A physical form of money doesn't buy me things.

"Elisa! Get back here, right now."

The homeless man was kind. He started shaking his hand, protesting as he caught sight of my charity. "This is too much, please, it's okay." He reassured.

But I am a strong headed woman who will not take no for an answer. I want to forever help people, I want to be me beautifully. "No. Take it." I wrapped the important money in his hand and felt a hand drag me away as I heard the man's pleasant thank you.

My father dragged me back to the car with the same hand that placed the dead cat in the trash. "What the hell are you doing?" He questioned bitterly. Does he not feel a bit of sympathy?

"Why must you be so sensitive?" He ordered me to get into the car. So I did and what I saw shocked me.

My mother was holding back tears as she stared out of the window. She had also been watching the homeless man. She felt something.

But she held back her tears which is easier for an older woman to do. She knew what her husband would say if he caught her. Crying is a weakness. After all, he hates on his only daughter for crying and being sensitive.

I couldn't help but squeeze my mother's bony shoulder from behind her. Immediately, she pushed my hand away.

So I kept my hands in my lap and my eyes gazed out of the window. The silence felt bearable and I noticed someone. Hoseok. The boy with brown eyes and a smile that distracted me from the rain. And once again, he had distracted me but not seen me.