Its your choice, Dad
Hello, Alice! Sorry to bother you. Could you come over this evening? Theres something important we need to talk about, asked Richard Harrison over the telephone, his voice sounding serious in the middle of her office day.
Is everything alright? she inquired anxiously.
Come round and Ill explain. Not a conversation for the phone.
Alright, Dad. Ill come by, Alice replied, setting her mobile on the desk, her mind now spinning. What could he possibly want to discuss?
These thoughts haunted her till evening and accompanied her during the drive out to her fathers house. The journey always took its time, for Dads home sat nearly on the outskirts of town, in a little neighbourhood of larger, older houses.
The taxi driver peered at her in the rear-view mirror. Bit of a rush, or shall I drive steady?
No hurry, Alice answered softly.
Perhaps, she wondered, hes finally decided to sort out a headstone for Mum and wants help picking the right one? Really, its long overdue Or has he decided to move in with her and Oliver? It would mean some major changes.
When Alice unlatched the garden gate, her father was already waiting on the porch of the old two-story house. Richard had played a part in building it himself, meticulously overseeing every inch of its progress decades before. Hed hoped to get it just right and present it as a gift to his beloved wife, who had been expecting Alice at the time.
Nearly thirty years had passed, yet the house hadnt lost its dignity or charm, standing proud with ivy crawling along its stones. Much of that was down to Richards careful handshis heart had grown into its very beams, just as her mother had poured herself into the nearby garden with its apple tree and rosebushes.
It had fallen only to Richard to care for it since, with Alice helping whenever her life and work allowed.
Hello, Dad, she greeted, hugging him tight and pecking his cheek. So, go onwhat did you need to talk about?
Lets go inside, Richard replied, holding the door. The kettles just boiled. We can have our chat over a cup of tea.
Alice could sense his unease, so she let him set the pace, sipping tea in the kitchen while she waited for him to gather himself. An anxious weight pressed on her chest. If Dad was this on edge, it couldn’t be an easy conversationit surely wasnt just about the monument or moving to her home.
Her mother, Margaret Harrison, had passed away two years before. Shed always seemed fit and happy. But one morning, she simply didnt wake.
Cardiac arrest, happens sometimes, the paramedic said.
For a long time, Alice couldn’t accept ityesterday theyd spoken on the phone, and now she was gone. Richard felt it even more keenly, moving through his days in silence and gloom.
A year after that, Alice raised the subject of a headstone, but her father just said, Lets leave it for now, love. Ive a feeling I wont be far behind your Mum anyway.
Dont say that, Dad, Alice had chided. Youre still young enough, havent even chased after grandchildren yet. No need to put yourself in the grave early.
Richard half-smiled. Young? Ill be on the pension inside six months.
So? A pension is just a pension; it doesnt change how long youll be around. Please, dont talk like that.
He shook his head. No need to rush the headstone. When I go, do mine and your mothers together.
And that was left hanging. Meanwhile, Richard began complaining of chest pains and a persistent coughnot surprising, since hed smoked his whole life. He said his legs felt weak, too.
Alice tried to visit as often as work and her marriage allowed, ringing him every day, but the realities of life often left him solitary.
One day, she arrived at the house laden with groceries and found him pale, standing beneath the old apple tree.
Dad, whats wrong? Shall I ring the ambulance? she asked, frozen with fear.
No, no, love. Let me just stand a bit, itll pass, he replied, forcing a weak smile.
She called for help anyway, praise be, for they found hed suffered a mild stroke. Luckily, the doctors managed to stabilise him in time, and he recovered far more swiftly than theyd predicted. Still, the worry never quite left her.
He refused to leave his beloved home, and Alice couldnt realistically move herself and Oliver out thereher husbands work, her own career, and now, possibly, a move to another city where Oliver had been offered a post, made it impossible. For all his bravado, she knew keeping up the house would now be a serious struggle for her father.
So, every other week, she and Oliver would descend for a full spring clean and tidy up the garden. Yet she marvelled how tidy it always was, and noted there was always food in his fridgedishes she hadnt prepared. Chicken broth, mashed potatoes, cottage piesreminiscent of hospital fare.
Perhaps I worry too much, Alice reassured herself. Hes a tough old bird, looks almost cheerful nowadays. But something in her remained restless.
This latest summons troubled her. Hed said nothing for half an hour, and she kept waiting for him to start, hoping hed at last say what was on his mind.
How are things with you and Oliver? Getting on alright, no rows? Richard finally asked.
Its all good between us. Why do you askare you planning to come live with us? Because we might not even be in this city for long.
No, no, not moving in. Im comfortable here, these are my walls, you know. Richard smiled. And actually, I wanted to talk to you about something else.
Alices curiosity piqued.
Well After my stroke, I realised I wanted to live again. Missing your mum made life feel hollow, but nowthings are different.
I can see. You look betterblooming, Id say!
Yes, and theres a reason for it. Alice, Ill understand if you dont want to talk to me anymore, but
What? she interrupted, hardly daring to breathe.
Ive decided to remarry.
Of all the things Alice expected, this was not it. She stared at him, stunned.
Remarry? Who?
When I was in hospital, Richard explained, I met a woman there. Shes a doctor. Her name is Victoria Bennett. Shes a good woman and, honestly, I owe her my recovery as much as the medicineshe helped me at home, kept the house in order. I never told you, as I didnt know what youd think. But I love her, Alice, and she loves me, so we want to be together.
Well, thats quite the surprise.
Shes twenty years younger, but since when has age stopped anyone?
Good heavens, Alice thought. So shes much youngerand here I thought her interest in him might be more about the house or the pension than anything else.
Dad, I dont know what to say, Alice admitted after a long silence.
They live cramped in a tiny flat now, her father pressed on, and I want to help Victoria. She helps me with everythinghow could I refuse?
Waitthey?
Victoria and her daughters, Emily and Grace. Lovely girls, both in university.
Oh, Dad! Alice burst out. Why do you want all this? I havent met Victoria, but honestly, it seems to me shes after your house or your pension.
If youre worried about the house, Richard sighed, dont be. Ill write my will so its shared fairly. Victoria is in agreement. Please dont judge, Alice, when you dont know her.
Im not judging, just saying what I see.
That day, Alice said no more. She went home, wrestling internallydid it hurt more that her father was choosing someone over her mother, or that he seemed so easily misled?
She rang her old school friend, now a psychologist, for perspective.
You see, Alice, people recover from loss in different ways. Some take life by the scruff of the neck, others cant get back to living without help. Your father, perhaps, sees this woman and her girls as his lifeline out of loneliness. Maybe, with them, hell feel whole again.
I know, Alice sighed. I just dont want him hurt.
In the end, its his choice.
Alice had several more talks with her father, even met Victoria and her girls. Though she couldnt sway Richards decision, she eventually accepted it.
Richard quickly married Victoria, and she and her daughters moved in. It was a new chapter for her father.
Alice visited, though less often now. She found it hard to bear Victorias false, sugary smile. She could see the woman was sly, and her intentions, she was sure, selfish. But her father loved her, and seemed happier than hed been in years.
Six months later, Alice and Oliver moved to a new city. Her visits grew rarer. At times, she couldnt even get her father on the phoneVictoria would answer breezily, Hello, Alice, love. Richards having a rest. Can I pass on a message? Her voice rang hollow, never sincere. Still, Alice knew her father was being cared for, and when she did speak with him, he sounded upbeat.
Well, Alice thought, if hes happy, I wont stand in his way.
Another half-year passed, and Richards health worsened. Alice heard the cough and wheeze in his voice when she called, and rushed home the very next day.
Its alright, Alice dear, Victoria chirped. Richards been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. You know, he smoked like a chimney. But dont worry, Im a doctorIll handle it.
Alice noticed a half-finished packet of cigarettes on the table, and frowned.
Surely you know that smokings terrible for that condition? Why let him carry on?
Dont go blaming anyone, Richard cut in. Victorias tried; its me. I cant seem to stop. But I do promise, love, I will quit soon.
For the first time in her life, Alice doubted him. Perhaps from being around Victoria, hed learned to lie straight to her face. Still, there was nothing she could dohe relied entirely on Victoria.
Six months later, Alice received an early morning call from Victoria: her father had died.
It was all far worse than we thought. Nothing could be doneoh, such a heartbreak! Victoria wailed.
After the funeral, Victoria drew Alice aside, gripping her hand tightly, and produced a sheet of paper from Richards old desk.
Guess what this is? she sneered, finally dropping her false front.
The will? Alice replied quietly.
Thats right. And according to this, your fathers house is now mine! Theres nothing you can do.
Alice wasnt remotely surprised.
And dont even imagine I tricked him into it, Victoria continued. This was his true wish. The solicitor came round, everythings in order! Here, look for yourself if you dont believe it.
Alice read the will and saw for herself that the house had truly been left to Victoria. She handed it back in silence. She understood her fatherVictoria had likely worn him down for years.
Her friends words echoedthis was his choice. She prayed her mother would forgive him.
Alice left the house, nearly stumbling over a puppy in the front gardenwhere had he come from? Hadnt she seen him at the cemetery, underfoot that very morning?
Did Dad adopt a dog? she asked as Victoria appeared at the doorway.
Not this pest again! Victoria shouted, flapping at the puppy, who scurried beneath the bench by the apple tree. Hes a nuisance!
Wheres he from? Dad never mentioned a dog.
He never meant to keep one. I always said no. Richard just couldnt help feeding him out of kindness, and now the thing wont leave.
My father loved dogs. After Rufus died, though, he never got anothersaid it hurt too much to lose one again.
Victoria only snorted. Well, he turned up a fortnight ago and started making himself at home. But not for longIm the one in charge now, and Ill see to it hes gone!
Alice gave Victoria a frosty glare, then bent to pick up the trembling puppy.
No need, she announced. Ill take him with me. Dad would have wanted that.
Fine by me! Victoria replied, smug. Probably the only thing youll get from here. You wont see a penny from the house.
It pained Alice to leave her parents home, stuffed with childhood memories. But she was wise enough to know it was just a building; her parents would live in her heart as long as she breathed.
Some might say she lost too much, that she should have fought for her inheritance. But Alice had her husband, a modest flat, and now, the dog she named after her fathers favourite old friendRufus, in fond memory.
As for Richards house, it ended up belonging to no one. Victorias daughters married and moved away after university, and neither wanted the house, remote and inconvenient as it was. Victoria herself soon left too; it was too much to care for alone, and without a mans hand, the place quickly fell apart. She tried selling it, lowering the price several times, but no one came forward.
In the end, Victoria went back to her cramped old flat, and the house Richard built was left to crumble, ageing all alone.
Many years later, Alice returned, with Oliver, Rufus, and their two children. Their old home was little more than a ruin, surrounded by high grass; the apple tree was dead, the windows broken, and the roof caved in.
Alice stood quietly amid the weeds, taking in the tumbledown walls. Then, with tears in her eyes, she turned and walked away.
It was your choice, DadAs she left the ruins behind, her youngest tugged at her sleeve. Mum, what was it likeyour old house?
Alice knelt beside her children in the wild garden, where an apple blossom, against all odds, clung to a twisted branch.
It was home, she whispered, her hand brushing through the grass. Full of laughter, hard workand so much love you could feel it in the walls.
They walked on, and Rufus bounded ahead, barking with joy at the open fields. Alice glanced back just once. The old place stood battered, but sheltering a chorus of birds in the eaves, and its garden, though wild, blossomed defiantly.
In her heart, she let gonot of her parents, nor of the past, but of regret. Some houses are meant to be lived in; others, once filled, must settle quietly into memory.
Hand in hand with her family, Alice walked toward the sunlight, her fathers spirit alive in the little things: the loyal dog by her side, the love she gave, the courage to start anew.
For each of them, the story went oncarried forward not in stones or deeds, but in kindness, resilience, and the promise that every ending is only another beginning.
