Chapter 1: The Day He Came Back
My father abandoned me and my younger brother for his new girlfriend — 15 years later, he begged me for help, and I agreed, but on one condition.
I was 11, and my younger brother, Jamie, was only 5 when our dad decided he no longer wanted to be our father.
Our mom had passed away two years earlier, and we missed her terribly.
But Dad didn't stay single for long.
He met Claire.
He often dropped us off at our neighbor's and asked her to watch us while he went out with Claire.
She was beautiful, tall, and demanding.
As soon as she moved in with us, she started complaining to Dad about Jamie and me.
She kept saying that Dad would never be able to "start fresh" because he had two kids who constantly needed something.
Then one evening, I overheard her say:
"I didn't sign up to raise someone else's kids.
So choose.
It's either them or me."
And what did Dad do?
He put Jamie and me into foster care and gave up his parental rights.
As if we were stray kittens he could simply leave behind whenever he felt like it.
And the strangest part is that even though I was still a child, I remember that Dad didn't seem guilty at all.
It was almost like he was relieved to finally be rid of the "burden."
Over the next several years, Jamie and I were placed with a few different families.
But it always ended the same way.
We were sent back into foster care.
As soon as I turned 18, I aged out of the system and got legal guardianship of Jamie, who was only 12 at the time.
I worked two jobs just to cover the rent on a tiny apartment and make sure Jamie had everything he needed.
We only had each other.
And that was enough.
A few years later, things finally started getting better.
I enrolled in college while continuing to work, then found a better job and even managed to pay for Jamie's college.
Things really did improve.
I got promoted at work, and eventually, I was able to save enough money to buy a house with a mortgage in a nice neighborhood.
I was proud that I'd been able to give him a better future.
Fifteen years had passed since Dad abandoned us, and we barely even talked about those days anymore.
But yesterday morning, I was standing in the kitchen making breakfast when someone knocked on the door.
Jamie was at baseball practice at college.
I opened the door...
and saw my father.
My jaw nearly dropped.
There he was, 15 years after leaving us for a beautiful woman, standing right in front of me.
It was clear life hadn't been kind to him.
His shoes were worn out, and his jacket had visible holes in it.
He sighed and said:
"I've been trying to find out where you live for a long time.
I'll be honest.
I have nowhere to go.
Claire took everything — the house, the money, the car.
I can't even afford to buy food.
I need your help."
I stood there for a moment and actually thought about it.
Then I smiled and said:
"Okay, I'll help you.
With everything.
Food, clothes, and a roof over your head."
He smiled and was already rubbing his hands together when I added:
"But I have one condition.
You have to do exactly what I ask, or you won't get anything from me."
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What is the one condition?
May you like
Does Jamie know their father is back?
Comment **"NEXT"** if you want Part 2 — it's in the comments.
