Unexpected Turns: Last Words

bright eyes on my Dad, "You never play with your children, you never talk to them, except when you tell them to do something. You're either too busy or too tired for them."

"I give them a pretty good life," said Dad defensively.

"No quality time though!" said grandpa, "The only time your son spent time with you this month was last week, when you got him to push the wheelbarrow round while you did some concreting. He worked for you, and he worked well. I was watching from the window. But did you pat him on the back and thank him? Did you give him five minutes of your time? Did you look at any of his drawings, or kick the soccer ball round the back lawn with him?"

"He gave me five dollars!" I said, trying to defend my father.

"Five dollars!" said grandpa, "A bit of money is no substitute for a father's time. I learned a long time ago that love is more precious than gold. I wouldn't blow my nose on five dollars! What this boy needs is a father . . . before he becomes someone else's boy. And by the look of things, I think you've already lost him!"

"That's enough," said Dad, "You can stop now."

"I'll stop when I'm good and ready!" said grandpa.

"But you've made your point," said Dad, "OK, so I'm a lousy husband and father. What do you want me to do about it?"

"Stop and look at yourself," said grandpa, "See where you're heading. At the moment, all I can see is a broken marriage, and kids who leave home as soon as they can. You may have a lot of money in the bank, but is it bringing you any happiness?"

"No," said Dad.

"And what about you, Dierdre? How long can you stick this out?"

"I was planning on leaving him as soon as Susan was old enough to care for herself."

"Dear! You weren't!"

"Yes," said Dierdre, "I wanted a happy home. When I married you, you were going to buy a small farm. That's all I ever wanted. Now look at you. Investments, spare-time jobs, even working on Sundays ... its like you've forgotten your family!"

Dad tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully.