Conversation - Father and Son
by Pho
"My son, we must talk."
"About what, Father?"
"We must discuss why you were alone for so many years."
"There is no need..."
"I believe there is."
Arms crossed in a picture of denial, the younger man stated succinctly, "So discuss."
"I left you..."
"I noticed."
"I did not mean to abandon you."
"But you did."
"Yes, I did. You must accept this."
"Why?"
"Because I am your father."
"Is that supposed to be a reason?"
A whispered voice replied, "No, only a hope."
"Well, I need a reason. I was only a boy."
"I know."
"You never even looked for me."
"I did."
"For how long?"
"I never stopped looking for you, my son."
"Even though you thought I was dead?"
"Yes, I searched for your essence."
"This cannot be the truth. At least not the whole truth."
"Do not speak to me so."
"Why not?
"Because it is disrespectful."
"Respect must be earned. It is not inherited."
"Since I have been back in your life, have I not earned at least the right to civility?"
Sighing, the younger man raised his hands in supplication, "I am sorry, Father. You are correct. I should not be disrespectful."
"You have much pain, my son."
The whispered, "Yes" was barely heard by the older man.
"I was injured, my son"
"I know."
"I did search for you."
"Then why was I the one that stumbled upon you?"
"Destiny."
"What?"
"By coming to me the way you did, you were fulfilling part of your destiny."
The younger man stared at his father for a moment, "And this destiny could not have been just as well served by your coming to me? To where I was?"
The older man merely shrugged.
"You are Shaolin."
"Yes."
"Why did you not know I was alive?"
"You know the answer already."
"I want ... No. I need to hear it from you."
"The grief I felt upon learning of your death overwhelmed me. I could not focus. I..I lost my path. Wandering became the only option. Walking, the only peace I could find."
"You walked for a very long time."
"Yes."
"Did you find the peace you were looking for?"
"Not until I found ... until you came to where I was, my son."
"I see."
"The years without you were long and bitter. I should have tried harder to find your essence. I realize that now. Perhaps if I had, our separation would not have been as long. I can only ask your forgiveness, my son."
"Why should I give it?"
"Because I am your father."
Embracing the old man, Kwai Chang Caine replied with a sob in his voice, "And I am your son. You are forgiven, my father."
The End
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