Post by Austen Blackwell on Apr 4, 2018 4:28:49 GMT -5
“I have to, Mercedes. I will be back. I love you.”
Austen sends a text off to Mercedes. He had to do this alone. It was his father, and it was up to him to figure it out. Either his dad would be supportive and a part of his life, or Austen would decide that he was better off without his father.
Austen begins to drive towards the address his father texted. It has been months until he saw his father. He had not heard from him, nor has his mother. Austen was spending time with both his mother and his biological mother. He was getting to know his half-brother Mateo. All while his wedding drew closer and closer. Austen knew that Mercedes would be there for him. She preferred him not to invite his father, but Austen was a man of giving chances.
As he pulled up to a home, it was meager in comparison to the large home he shared with his mother and father growing up. His father still made damn good money, and it shows. A BMW and a Porsche both were in the driveway as Austen pulled up. With a huge exhale, he headed out the door of his SUV and towards the front door. Ringing the doorbell, and unfamiliar face answers. She was a female.
Female: You must be Austen.
Austen: Um. Yeah?
He scratches his head.
Female: Come in. Come in. Your father is in the kitchen.
Austen heads inside as she closes the door. Trying to figure out who she was, he kept quiet and saw the house for what it was; a way for his dad to gloat about his money. No pictures on the wall. No memories. And nothing that made the house, a home. They head into the kitchen as he saw his father.
Walter: Austen. My boy.
Austen: Hey.
Walter: Come. Come and sit.
Walter was sitting as a table in the kitchen that jutted out from the house. It was sort of like a half-sunroom that was an extension of the kitchen. Austen sits down as the female sits down next to him and hooks her arm in his.
Walter: You have met my girlfriend, Fiona.
Austen: Girlfriend.
Walter: Your mother and I have filed for divorce, as you know. It will be official soon. Fiona was my realtor, and we hit it off.
Fiona smiles and says nothing, as if some sort of trophy girlfriend.
Walter: You hungry?
Austen shakes his head ‘no’.
Walter: So I hear that you and that Melanie are getting hitched?
Austen: Mercedes.
Walter: Don’t do it. And if you do, sign a prenup. Don’t let her drain you. Like your mother.
Austen was already regretting it.
Walter: What did you reach out to me for? To apologize? It’s okay AB. You don’t have to apologize. You were wrong, but I can forgive you, son.
Austen could not believe it.
Walter: Fiona and I would love for you to stay with us. Get away from that potential ex-wife and find yourself a true place in life. Work with me, live the high life. Quit that stupid “rasslin”. You won’t make good money do it, and you will just get hurt. I mean, I’ve watched you. You aren’t entirely that talented, son. But that is okay. Blackwells are meant to handle money. We aren’t meant to do any sort of actual work. It is beneath us.
Fiona looks at Austen, as she kisses Walter on the cheek.
Fiona: Would you like some tea, honey?
She was maybe five years older than Austen. AB knew what he had to do.
Walter: So what did you come here for, Austen?
Austen stands up.
Austen: I came here to told you thank you.
Walter smiles.
Walter: You are welcome, but what for?
Austen: For showing me what a husband is supposed to not do. How to not act like a father figure. And to make sure that you knew that you were not invited to the wedding. Mercedes and I will be getting married in a couple of weeks. And eventually? We will have children. And I might not be the best father, but I sure as hell won’t be anything like you. Throwing money at problems, and sticking my dick into anything and everything.
Walter: Austen-
Austen: No. Shut up. You’ve preached to me for years about how Blackwells do this or do that. I may even consider changing my name. You are a piss poor excuse for a father. A piss poor excuse for a husband. And a piss poor excuse for a human. I am cutting you out of my life for good. I hope you two the very best. And Fiona, watch his right hand… it sure can leave a bruise. Ask my mother.
Austen takes a few steps and turns around.
Austen: This is goodbye forever… Walter. I hope that you find your way one day. Because you have shown me mine. You won’t ever be HALF of the man that I am. And I use the term man loosely. You are a coward. And a piece of shit.
With that, Austen storms out of the home and slams the door. He does not look back as he was putting his past behind him. He gets into his SUV and immediately sends a text.
“Mercedes, I am on my way home. Things will always be good. Even in the bad or dark times. I will always be there by your side. Your husband. Forever. And I will love you unconditionally. -AB”
He starts his SUV and backs out of the driveway, seeing the home disappear in front of him. He pulls out into the street, making one last look at the house, and drives off ready to never see it again.