1 Welcome Home

January 1, the rain fell ever so slightly as he stride along the road, tears running down his cheeks and his cotton-white T-shirt stuck to his skin as if it was apart of his body. He never thought that he would return to this house, this house of a broken family and with a ruined reputation. He can only hoped that they will at least let him in. A family, it was more like a house of strangers which had consisted of a grandfather who loved and adored him, teach him everything about arts and crafts until he turned thirteen, a father who was so busy with work that he neglected family affairs and his son but always had time for his twelve mistresses and who only spends quarter of what he give his mistresses to his son and last but not least a mother who only gave birth to stay in a wealthy family, who breast fed him when others are around but wouldn't even steal glance a him when he comes home. At dinner time, it was always silence only the sounds of the knife and fork grinding against the silver plates. It was suffocating that he finally decided to leave home, he still remembered all the things his grandfather taught and sometimes practiced on his own when felt down. The city was a vast place, better than this country side, he can surely own his skills and made a fortune with it after all arts is very popular and pricesly.

That day when he packed his bags and stepped through that door, there was no one there to say goodbye, not like they would care or noticed. He had hopes and dreams that he would make it big and indeed he did but unfortunately, his heart ruined everything. Just at the peak of his career, he was working with the most outstanding artist in the industry. That man was an amazing painter and potter, who's art works are seen as the best in the entire city and those who he recognized as his apprentice shall also have such an honor. He was the second apprentice who was skilled in all form of arts, he was nicked named the 'All-Rounder' because of his talent and art pieces. But the master was not the one who made his heart sing, it was Mike J. James, someone of unknown background, unknown history and a total mystery. He approached him that day at the new opening of the Townsman Gallery, it was the smile he had that really made him attractive, his overall appearance was barely average. Sure, you may think he is in that community, but sadly something is wrong with his body that had disappointed his family. Mother wanted a girl and father wanted a male heir, two to one, but he didn't want disappoint anyone and instead came out looking like a male with a female reproductive organs. At first he was treasured and cared for but that did not last just like his relationship with Mike.

In the middle of their relationship, Mike started adding strange. He had trusted him wholeheartedly and gave him his body but then Mike would disappear without informing him and will ask him to do errands at the his own company. Of course nothing was wrong with that but, that's were he was wrong. Before the New Years celebration, bad rumors circulated about him stealing from the company, plagiarizing other artists work and selling them to enemy companies. Yet he did not realize any of it until that morning he caught his boyfriend kissing a girl in front of the company doors. It took him by surprise the look in Mike eyes when he notice him staring, a slight grin showed on his face before he turned back around. All his co-workers came out giggling as they walk pass. One even whispered to him say that this is what he deserve for seducing a straight married guy. His eyes opened wide, both frightened and a shamed for not knowing the truth all along. He heard his boss voice behind calling him to his office, he walked up there slowly head still hanging down.

"Okay, I'll let you decide either pay the fine or leave this company, it's up to you but anyway it won't be easy on you." The boss sounded a little sympathy as if he knows but can't help.

"I'll leave, I'll leave and am sorry for the trouble I cost you. This is goodbye sir." He tried his best to hold in the tears that well up, he swore that he won't cry in front of the CEO and will state strong still he reach the end. As he walk to the exist he can't help but have to ignore the mockery and hash words that flew towards him, don't let them see you cry, he replays over and over in his head, don't let them see your tears.

Once he reached home, the home he bought for himself and Mike, his eyes started to leak, water flow down his face, salty to the taste, that he did not notice the smoke coming from the apartment building. It was on fire, everything was on fire, his works, clothes and secret money stash was being burnt and he have no idea how it had been started. That when it fully sunk in his life in the city was dead and gone now.

Now at the doors to his old house, he immediately knocked on the door he heard an answer, an old voice answered 'coming' to him. When to door opened he was surprised at the figure standing in front of him. The father, Job M. MacKneow, who was never home in standing at the front door.

"Oh well isn't this our long lost son, well aren't you gonna come in it's almost dinner time." He said with a weak smile, and eyes that was once dull now was showing little emotions. He never expected to see that side to his father but then he never expected to be let in again. He was cold and damp but the house gave him a little warmth, one that was never there before.

"Aren't you cold in that and were are your luggage you need to change before coming to dinner everyone will want to see you."He tried to be cheery in the awkward situation, hoping to lessen the tension between father and son.

"Sorry, this is all I had bought back." He replied.

"Well at the least you should have bring more clothes and stay awhile longer before leaving, after all you never call nor visit, who knows, this might be the last time." A hint of sadness could have been picked out of his voice, one that he noticed.

"It's not like that, am returning home, but all my stuff was burnt down, and I only had this to wear because the suit was damage, and enough money to buy a new T-shirt and come back home."

As he said that Job's eyes were filled with sadness then changed to hope. Emotions were things he never knew his father possessed, it made him feel a little curious and confused at the same. Before he knew it the words escape from his mouth. "Dad".

They were still in the hallway, when they heard a pair of foot steps, and a middle age woman appeared.

"Ash...ley," she stared in disbelief, for her daughter was back. "Ashley that is you right, oh my god." She ran towards him hugging him tightly and crying tears of joy. The name Ashley he was given because at first they thought he was a daughter but called him Ash instead because his name was meant for their daughter. He long to be called that even in the city, but what was more surprising and confusing was the change in atmosphere in the house. Why was everyone so caring all of a sudden. Then he remembered his grandfather, as old as he may be he was sure he would still be alive. And there he was at the stairs, leading to the second floor, as Ashley look up he only saw a wriggled old man in grey causal clothes with eyes overflowing. It was confusing, how could they care about me when they neglected me for so long, he though. His grandfather, Andrew Mackeown, an amazing artist in his youth and mother, Kathrine MacKeown, a woman he never knew could love others were now crying for his return.

At the dinner table Ashley told them about everything that's happen to him in the city, about his fake relationship with Mike, the company and staff, his apartment burning down and about the his boss and how he respected him. That his deepest regret would be to have not be able to see and thank him properly. Although he could not have helped much in the situation but at least he still treated him fairly even in the end. If it was not for the CEO he wouldn't have known or found to means to come back home, he was the one who gave the money for the journey. For that Ashley will always be grateful for meeting Albert Jay Jones.