"What was that for?" Kelvin asked his father, looking really angry.
"What was what for?"
"How could you show up here and admit to being that bastard’s father?"
"Watch your language boy."
"Did you even stop to think about what this would an for MUM?" He yelled. "Did you think about how she is going to feel? What about ? Did you think about and my feelings when you exposed that in public like that?!"
"That is why you should have treated him better when you knew he was your older brother. If you had, I wouldn’t have been here in the first place."
"I don’t fucking have any older brother!" Kelvin yelled. "Do you know how this is going to affect if the other kids in school finds out? Do you know who is going to be talked about for the next couple of weeks before graduation? IT’S ! ! But you didn’t think about any of that because you wanted to play ’daddy’ to that stupid bastard?"
"I won’t remind you for a third ti to watch your language." He warned in a dark tone.
"Whether you like it or not, he is your brother. I know I made a mistake in the past, but I am always ready to own up to it. The only reason everyone doesn’t know about him is because it was his wish. Since he took the initiative to call , I couldn’t just let him be. That’s as far as I can explain to you. I owe you no more explanation so return to your class, sit your ass down, and study hard for your upcoming exams."
Kelvin snorted derisively before walking away, kicking the wastebin on his way and walking past Jeremy who was standing there. They had no idea how much he had heard or how long he had been there.
Mr Hank and Jeremy looked at each other. "You raised him well." Jeremy said sarcastically.
"My bad." Mr Hank admitted as he moved closer to Jeremy.
"I am glad you called." He said earnestly. "I never imagined a day would co when you would take the initiative to call ."
"I didn’t have a choice. They were going to expel ." He shrugged. "Figured it wouldn’t be so bad to use you just like other kids use their parents to get off the hook."
Mr Hank chuckled a bit. "Well, I am glad you used ." He said and looked at Jeremy tenderly. "You changed a lot."
"How so? I have a better personality than Kelvin?"
Mr Hank laughed again. Jeremy was surprised he was joking like this with this man when he didn’t like him very much or hadn’t seen him in years.
"Taller, handso and you have a nice hair."
Jeremy was a bit surprised to have the man complint him. To stop himself from blushing, he changed the topic instead,
"I didn’t think you would co. I was only trying my luck."
"Of course I had to. It was the first ti you called in... I think ever?" He wasn’t sure either.
Jeremy shrugged. "Well... thanks for coming." He turned to leave but Mr Hank called his na.
"I’m sorry." He said softly.
Jeremy slowly turned around. "For?" He asked.
"Everything." The man sighed deeply, placing his hands inside his pockets.
"About your mother, for not being there for her and for you."
"You have a family."
"I know. And I also know you hate ."
"I don’t." Jeremy shook his head. "Maybe I’m just disappointed but I don’t hate you. I can’t possibly bring myself to hate the man my mother loved at so point." He said sincerely, making Mr Hank look sober.
"I have always wanted to apologize for what happened the last ti you ca to my house—"
"It’s fine." Jeremy said imdiately, not wanting to rember that ti years ago.
"I think it’s normal for your wife to hate and treat the way she did. It’s unfortunate Kelvin had to hate for his mother too and always looked for a way to make my life miserable. I really don’t mind anymore."
The more he spoke, the more Mr Hank felt sad, guilty and pity towards him. He was so young yet he was so mature. He only wished his younger son had a bit of his personality.
"I am glad you do not hate ." He said with a tiny smile. "Maybe you can consider coming to my birthday next week with your sister rcy—"
"Ellie. Her na’s Ellie." He corrected.
"Sorry, Ellie." He said with an embarrassed smile.
"I’m sorry but I’ll have to decline. I don’t want to intrude. So have fun with your family, and happy birthday to you in advance." He wanted to leave again when Mr Hank stopped him a second ti. It seed like the man didn’t want him to leave because he might not see him again after today and Jeremy might never call him again.
"Look, I know I haven’t been a father to you and since you reached out first, I really want to try to be a good dad at least once. So after your graduation, you are welco to join the company if you wish. There is always going to be a space reserved for you."
Jeremy squinted to look at him. "Are you not worried about what people would say? A married man cheating on his wife and having his first child with a mistress. Now, he’s inviting his illegitimate son to his company?"
"Look, what’s done is done. It doesn’t matter what people say. You should have a good life and I owe you that." He said sincerely.
"Instead of that, I think your family shouldn’t ss with the grades this year and allow those who deserve it to be at the top instead of making Kelvin the Valedictorian which he obviously doesn’t deserve."
"What?" Mr Hank asked in confusion.
"Look," Jeremy started, "I am not very smart, but I can bet my life I am smarter than Kelvin so I think he doesn’t deserve the spot he is on. I have a friend who is supposed to be number one but Kelvin has stolen that spot from her. If you want to be a good man and father, you should fix that first."
Mr Hank looked confused, "I really have no idea about what you are saying, but I promise I’ll look into it."
Maybe he was pretending he didn’t know or maybe he genuinely didn’t know, Jeremy didn’t care. He only hoped he would do sothing about it so Mia would move to number 1, if Chloe did her best, she’ll be able to move to number 2 while for him, it was number 15 or sothing, he really didn’t mind.
"If offering you a position in the company is too much for you, maybe if you need a reference or recomndation or sothing for a great job, I can always give you my signature." He offered again.
"Just give an opportunity to do sothing for you. Please?"
Jeremy could see how hard he was trying and didn’t want to make it difficult for him.
"I’ll consider it."
Mr Hank finally smiled in relief. "Thank you." He said, feeling like many years worth of burden had been lifted off his shoulders.
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