Chapter 13: Broken Ties Connected Again
After the meeting, Francois lingered a little longer in the boardroom. He placed the card back into his pocket and took out his phone. He clicked and came out the image of Aiden. Francois stares at his son's image and his eyes started to water. Just as his tears were about to fall a voice comes from behind him.
"Will he be ready?" Harold asked
"Does he have a choice?", Francois sarcastically replied and closed his eyes to hold back the tears. People know him to be tough and firm, but things are different when it concerns his son. As a father, he feels guilty that his son grew up without a mother. He feels responsible for Amelie's death.
"No, he doesn't. But he has to make that choice if he wants to survive" Harold said as he placed his hand on François' shoulder. He feels sorry for his friend. He knows what Francois is thinking. He sees the sorrow in his eyes. He was also there when Amelie was murdered. It took him years to overcome such loss. Until now he still dreams of the blood-soaked Amelie in the arms of François.
Harold knows that Francois needs comfort but he cannot afford to give it to him now. This is not the time to be weak. They have a formidable enemy to fight. They must harness their pain and turn it into strength.
Francois rose from his chair and turned around to face Harold. He stares into his friend's eyes as if searching Harold's soul. "What are we doing? We are taking away my son's innocence", Francois said while shaking his head.
"We were left with no choice. We have to decide. We need to save our people", Harold replied with conviction hoping that his pain won't betray him.
"But we can't make that decision for Aiden. We are forcing him to get involved in this war." Francois' voice sounds shaky.
"Francois, we have been at war for some time now. We cannot just sacrifice him along with thousands of innocent citizens without giving a fight. And… perhaps, this might be the only way to protect him. Fighting back is the only protection we can have right now!", Harold justifies.
, "Do you really believe that? Harold, tell that we are doing the right thing"
"We do that every day, François. You know that. After all, the only thing for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Harold softly tapped Francois' shoulder and left.
As Harold stepped out of François' mansion, he stopped on the stairs. His gaze roamed the formal garden with the fountain in its center. He walked towards the fountain and touched the cascading water. He looked down on the pond that encircles the fountain. He used his right hand like a cup and scooped the crystal-clear water and let it sparkle under the sun. "The water is so clear. I just, do not wish to see this water turn into as red as blood." Harold then walked towards his car. Before he got in, he looked up to the heavens and whispered. "If you can hear me, please let us be right. We cannot afford to be wrong."
Aiden just woke up from his afternoon nap. He feels refreshed as his body benefitted the much-needed rest he enjoys. He checks his bruises and finds them to be almost gone. He smiles and reaches for the necklace on top of the side table of his hospital bed. Aiden is not superstitious but each time he touches the necklace he feels warm and safe. Seeing that there is no logic in this, he just puts the necklace around his neck and leans back on his pillow. He closes his eyes and his thoughts were taken back to his memories of when he was just a kid. He remembers his mother. Almost every day, he will be awakened by his Mom's kiss on his forehead. When he opens his eyes, he will see the faces of his Mom and Dad sweetly smiling at him. His dad will carry him to his seat in the dining room where they will eat breakfast. After breakfast, Aiden will help his Mom check the rose garden. It's funny how his Mom talked to the roses like they are people. When Aiden looks up, he will always find his Dad watching over them from a window. Aiden remembers that his dad will always blow him a kiss each time he catches Aiden looking at him. Aiden was so engrossed in his thoughts until he was momentarily snapped out of them as he heard the door of his hospital suite open. Aiden did not bother to check who it was, thinking that it might just be the nurse who will check on him. To his surprise, the person did not say anything but stopped by his bedside. Suddenly, Aiden felt a kiss on his forehead. Slowly Aiden opens his eyes. He sees his father looking at him with tears in his eyes.
For a second or two, Francois stares at his son lying on the hospital bed. The bruises are gone and this skin looks radiant. Francois released a sigh knowing that his son is no longer in pain. His gaze moved toward his son's face. His son has taken most of his facial features. However, as Francois does this, the necklace that Aiden is wearing caught his attention. "Where did he get that?" Francois wonders.
This reminds him of the 6-year-old Aiden whom he and Amelie used to wake up every morning.
Slowly, François leans over his son and kisses him on his forehead. He was reluctant at first but when he thought that Aiden is the only family he has left, his reluctance melted away.
Aiden was taken by surprise and opened his eyes. "Dad?",
Seeing his son's reaction, Francois was embarrassed and looked away. "I'm sorry son, I woke you up".
"No, you did not. I was just…. I mean, I was…", Aiden was overwhelmed by his emotions. He was already emotional when he reminisced his childhood memories a few moments ago. Now, when he opened his eyes, his Dad who has not talked to him for a long time kissed him and is now just inches away from him. How he missed his father's attention and affection. How he longed for this moment. All the loneliness, all the anger, and all the disappointments came back, mixed with the joy and excitement he feels now caused by his father's presence, hitting Aiden at the same time.
Aiden's body trembled as he was overwhelmed by all the emotional rollercoaster that just took place. He curled to his side with his back to his father and cried like a little child. His wails released all the years of pain he harbored in his heart.
Francois was astonished at his son's reaction. He did not know what to do. He straightened up turned around and takes two steps toward the door but his thoughts stopped him. "What am I doing? Why am I running away again? Why am I pushing my son away? He needs me! I am all that he has left!"
Feeling all this guilt, Francois ran to his Son's bed and broke down. He sobbed but his pain was too great that his legs lost their strength and gave away. His knees crushed on the floor and his hands clung to the edge of the bed for support as his tears washed his strength away from his body. His chest seems to explode from the pain as his heart feels like it was crushed by a strong hand. The pain was so intense that only a loud moan can relieve it.
"Aghhhhhh, forgive me my Son!", François continues to moan as he releases all his pains. This is the first time in years since his wife died that Francois released his pain. All these years he pretended to be strong and unshaken. He either drown his sorrows with his work or with his wines. But after realizing that his denial did not only hurt him but his son as well, Francois' guilt broke all his emotional defenses.
Aiden was startled after hearing his father's plea. Slowly, he turns around to face his Dad. What he saw surprised him. He did not see the majestic Francois he expected, but a broken and humbled father offering his contrite and repentant heart in exchange for forgiveness. Aiden sits up and reluctantly reaches out for his father. He places his hand on his Father's quivering shoulder. "Dad…"
Upon hearing his Son's voice, Francois calmed down a bit and wiped the tears from his face. He looks up and sees the face of his son. I was not filled with hate or disdain but with mercy, love, and longing.
Aiden's heart was also pierced when he saw his father's pleading eyes filled with regret and sorrow. He wanted to say something but can not find any words to express his emotions at the moment.
Father and Son did not speak any word. Instead, they hugged each other and cried again. But this time their cries were no longer filled with the sound of pain and anguish that weighed them down for years but with freedom and joy.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone