11

                                    

                                          
Dad sat there peacefully enjoying his whiskey, he didn't even care about my brother leaving, I just don't understand how a man who can be so warm and loving with me can be cold and rude to his other kid. They always fight, but I had never witnessed something like that, I was disappointed. 
                          
"Remind me to get Robin's food before going back to the office," he sat straight and rubbed his dog's head calmly. 
                          
I sat there in utter shock as anger started taking power of my body, "Dad, what you just did was horrible," was all I managed to say, he just sniffled and shurgged.
                          
"He started it," was all he said before returning to the dark drink he was holding. 
                          
"He's your son, how can you be so harsh?" The way he acted after all the hurtful things he said was only making me angrier, "You hurt him,"
                          
"I didn't hurt him, he's a strong man, he'll get over it," he said sternly, now I was the one who wanted to pick up a fight, things were messed up and he didn't see it.
                          
"Did you not see him trying to hold back the tears?" I raised my voice a little, for some reason my voice just goes high pitched and whiny when I'm mad. 
                          
"No Alex, I didn't see it," he pointed at his shades covering his now useless eyes, "Stop making a big deal out of this, he'll come around,"
                          
"I'm just saying you've always been too hard on him, he's your son and he deserves some love too, you're just pushing him away," his expression softened a little, "One of this days he'll just get tired of all the crap you put him through and you'll regret it,"
                          
"As his father it is my job to raise him right," what made me concerned was the fact that he didn't recognize he messed up. 
                          
"He's a man, dad, he's 25, you are done raising him, you raised him for 25 years, nothing you say or do will make him change because he grew up, I think he deserves the loving and supporting father you are with me,"
                          
"With you it's different, you know how to tell right from wrong, and you've always worked for your dreams, and you did good, you finally reached success," he sighed trying to choose his next words, "He'll need to support a family one day,"
                          
"I don't think I've reached success, and if this is success then I'm not happy, this industry is empty, dad," I didn't even know I felt that way, but apparently I was just as empty as the industry I complained about, "I've worked for my dreams because you've always supported me, you made me strong enough to pursue my dreams even if they were crazy, and that's because you always reminded me my worth, you believed in me and that's what I've learned, you've always told me I am unstoppable, strong, hardworking and a star, you made me believe in me so much, that I grew up decided to fight and become the successful woman I always knew I was..." I had never said that out loud, or even thought about it, but it made complete sense, "With Will, you always made him feel stupid, you kept reminding him that he wasn't enough... until he believed it and lost hope for himself,"
                          
"I just wanted him to work harder," he whispered with a sad expression, he was finally understanding my point. 
                          
"And he did, he is a hard worker, dad, I wish you could see the amazing job he's done with the company's social media, he's really smart, you just need to believe in him," he kept his head tilted down, suddenly I saw a tear streaming down his cheek. 
                          
"I fucked up my relationship with my only son-" his voice cracked in the end, making my heart break into a million pieces. 
                          
"It's not too late," I reached out for his hand and squeezed it, "He loves you and admires you dad, you just have to let him know you love him back,"
                          
"You think he'll ever forgive me? I wouldn't be able to live knowing my son hates me," he dried his tears with a napkin. 
                          
"He doesn't hate you, you should talk to him," he nodded slowly, "It may be hard in the beginning, but you have to let him live his life and make his own mistakes,"