The father

A stranger in a black suit stepped into the front gate and hesitate. He didn’t know what to say or do. He had been thinking about it for the past hours, and all he came up with was: “I’m sorry.” He knew that an apology will not enough. They deserved further than just a word: sorry.

He wanted to shoot back, but the thing in his hand had held him. “Autumn can’t wait forever.” He told himself. With all the courage, he knocked on the door and it’s open. She peered at him. First was a surprise, after that was angry. With a trembling voice, she said:

- Why are you here?

- I want to see Autumn. - He replied, without a look into her beautiful dark blue eyes anymore, it reminded him of everything he had lost.

- It’s not the right time. - She glowed and slammed the door into his face. - Goodbye. - she added.

He stood still, held the letter in his hand, and gave up.

...

Olivia walked through the path and she acknowledged a strange man sitting on a bench near the center playground. “It can’t be him.” She thought, turn around, and rushed down the street. At the payphone, she pressed the phone number, and… someone picked up. “Hello.” The gentle voice from the other side spoke.

- Autumn. - Olivia said. - I saw him.

...

- Are you sure it’s him? - A pretty girl with black hair and deep blue eyes like the ocean asked.

- Yes. - Olivia replied. - Tall, skinny, with dark, messy hair.

- Quick. Tell me where is he? - The other ordered.

- Near the capital playground.

Autumn stopped. She stared at a certain point with a thoughtful face and held her hands together.

- Should we tell your mom? - Olivia suggested.

- No, and don’t follow me. - Autumn announced. Then she left.

…

You aren’t their guest.

They had lived a happy life without you.

Don’t ruin it.

Autumn deserves further than just a father like you.

Turn back, she won’t come.

You don't deserve a second chance from her.

He stood up and stared at the fallen leaves of September. He took a deep breath. It was full of the cool breath of Fall. He hoped someone would tell him to stay, but no one. He wished he could be there longer, but his guiltiness was too strong. He couldn’t take something for the people he loved and hurt the most anymore. “I had to leave.” He said to himself.

He stepped up, and under the sunset of Fall, a skinny shadow ran forward to him and stopped. They were face to face, eyes to eyes, and the words about to come out.

- Papa? - The other came first, and it broke the silence.

- Autumn? You can walk now?

Autumn shouted, “Papa!” with a trembling voice and ran into his arm. They cried.

...

   - So you can walk now. - He said.

     - Yes, - the little daughter said and pulled her pants, expose a prosthetic leg to him. - It took a long time. - She continued.

     - Yes, a long time. - He continued.

     Autumn looked at him and smiled. She was too beautiful, like her mother. She noticed at her watch and said:

     - I think I should go home. Mother is waiting. Will you come with me?

     He shook.

     Autumn peeked at him with her disappointed eyes.

- But I’ll be here tomorrow.

…

     Autumn arrived early that morning and looked for him. But he wasn’t there. She stayed there for a few minutes and left.

     In the evening, she entered again. She knew she would face her mother's anger if she won’t be home at 6 p.m like a promise, but her father will be there for her. Just a few seconds.

      But he didn’t come.

      After a few slights, she was still alone.

      In the next two hours, she still the only person there.

      “Where is he?” She asked herself.

      Maybe he came to this dawn and quit because I didn’t show up, or didn’t wait for him.

      Maybe he looked for me earlier, but I wasn’t there.

     Or maybe he won’t show up

      Autumn stood up and sat down. She walked to the playground's main entrance and started to look for him.

      Maybe he was here.

      Maybe he didn’t see me so left.

      She walked around the entrance with a worried in her heart.

      Maybe he came in the afternoon.

      Why don’t I be here in the afternoon?

      She blamed herself. She should have come here earlier. She should have been looking for him right from the first moment she came. She shouldn’t leave him to wait.

      She waited and wait.

      Bored soon caught over her and she stared around. Suddenly, she saw a piece of paper under the bench. She took it out and read:

      Dear Autumn,

      I’m sorry. I’m a horrible dad. You and Lucy deserve more than me. I’m sorry. I’m leaving to another place.

      Hope you have a happy life.

                                                                Love you,

                                                                        Papa.

 But she didn’t read the last line.

      It filled her with tears right the moment she read the sentence: I’m leaving to another place.

…

      A voice came in front of her teary eyes:

-    Honey, what’s wrong?

Autumn looked up and met her mother gently eyes. She dropped her head into Lucy’s arms and cried as loud as she could. The warmth of her hands moved over Autumn’s wavy hair and said:

-    You come to see him, right?

Her daughter nodded.

-    And he didn’t come?

      Autumn shook and gave her mother the letter. She read it and threw it into the nearest bin. “A jerk.” She mumbled and kissed her child's hair.

-    I was wrong.—Autumn said while crying.–I should have told you.

-    Yes. Yes, you should.–Her mother said with a serious voice.–But why didn’t you?

-    I was afraid that… you won’t give him a chance.

      Lucy looked at her and nodded. She would never give him a chance like her daughter. She would never talk to him or look at him. She would never forgive the one who left her disabled child.

      But Autumn wanted a father. She had never seen him since age 4–the moment he left. She had always thought about him and wondered why he leaves. She never knows the reason.

-    I wrote him a letter.–She continued.–I said I wanted to see him. I gave it to grandpa. I asked him to deliver it to him. I shouldn’t have.

Suddenly, a man's voice came in front of them:

- Autumn, Lucy.

They turned around and saw him.

…

      The TV screen turned dark. I looked at my little brother and… he was crying. I stared at him for a few minutes and he asked me:

-    Will there be season 2?