Chapter 49: A Good Man

My dad...wasn't the greatest dad of all. I'll admit, that Haru is even better than he is. But still, he was a good man. He was born in the year 1972. Though, he was born in a broken family. His father left him after hearing the news that his mom was pregnant. Suffice to say, this wasn't planned at all.

Before I was born; before he got married, and before he even met my mom. His name is Vincent.

He was a smoker. He was also a drug addict. All in all, he was...in a bad place. Dropped out of college, and was going nowhere. Having sex with ladies after ladies, but none of them stayed. Not a single 1 lasted more than 5 minutes with my Vincent.

Not until he met my mom, Aliyah. You see, my mom wasn't like any other woman that my dad slept with. She was playing hard to get. A tsundere is what I would like to say. In the past, my mom was a teacher in school. And since my dad was desperate for money, he applied for the job of being a janitor there. Vincent, the janitor of the school.

One day, my dad, Vincent, was mopping the floor of a certain hallway. Putting the wet floor sign on the ground he mops. He was about to leave until he saw my mom, Aliyah, in a hurry, carrying her papers. The thing is though, my mom was on the other side of the hallway. And since she was carrying a stack of papers, she couldn't the wet floor sigh. Causing her to walk through the wet hallway and yeah... She slips. My dad quickly heads over to her. Making sure my mom was alright.

"Oh my God! Are you alright, ma'am?", Vincent asked worryingly.

"Why the hell didn't you put a wet floor sign there?!", Aliyah shouted.

My dad was surprised by her response. Then he gave her a look that my mom will never forget. After that, he would look over to the wet floor sign that was placed over there. My mom followed his look to see the wet floor sign as well. Seeing that sign, she felt embarrassed.

"At the very, least you should have warned me...", Aliyah quietly muttered.

My dad heard that and retorts. Annoyed at her.

"Well, you should have looked where you're going.", Vincent replied harshly.

My mom quickly glared at my dad that he will never forget. She then quietly picked up her papers and silently yet angrily stomp her way to where she was supposed to be. Leaving my dad in the hallway at a fast pace.

"That...wasn't a good first impression...", Roy commented.

"Well, yeah! But it didn't stop there. Heh! No, it didn't.", Alvin replied.

They bumped into each other a lot. And by that, mean my mom slipped a lot. There was this one-time mom where mom was looking on her "cellphone" and not smartphone like the ones we use now, and slip on another wet floor. Since it was still wet, it was still fresh, and my dad was still there to help her up.

Another moment was, she wasn't looking at where she was going. They were in the middle of the school where there was this big space in the center of it. That time, the cheerleading squad was practicing for an upcoming competition. My mom was so dazzled by the movement of the team, she was distracted and slipped once again. Guess what, my dad was also there to help her back up.

Another another moment was the time where my mom stayed at school until night doing her grades for it was almost summer. Which means school was almost over. She was tired and couldn't wait to sleep. And not paying attention to where she was going, she slips but this time, she reacted just in time to stop her from falling on her back. However, she keeps on slipping, and my mom keeps on resisting. To the point where she slides towards my dad, who was innocently mopping the floor, and she crashed on his back. Making both of them fall to the ground.

At this point, my mom wasn't mad at dad but at herself. She slipped so many times that she knew that she should learn by now. My mom quickly stands right back and gives a hand to my dad.

"Hey, I'm sorry for bumping into you, literally.", Aliyah apologizes and ended a hand.

"An apology isn't enough to make u the pain that I felt. I need something more.", Vincent said ominously as he stands in front of her.

"Your dad actually said that?", Roy reacted at this part of the story.

"Yeah, he did, but the next part might even shock you even more.", Alvin added hype.

My mom was terrified at what my dad said. Though my mom is tough, she knows she isn't that strong compared to dad. So she stands, slowly backing away but my dad slams his hand on the wall behind mom and gets up close to her. This made mom shocked at the situation she's in.

"There's a carnival near here, I heard they'll be able to open tomorrow. Wanna go there and have some fun?", Vincent asked her to a date.

After hearing this, my mom was dumbfounded. Surprised and even lovestruck. My mom blushes uncontrollably that night. Admiring the attempt she answered.

"I don't even know your name yet.", Aliyah said in response.

"Vincent. Vincent Johnson.", Vincent introduced himself.

"My name is Aliyah. And I'll see you there at 7. Don't be late.", Aliyah accepted it.

"Wow... Just wow.", Roy was amazed.

"Wow, indeed.", Alvin added.

They were both in a carnival. Though adults, they both acted like children there. Like that one where they were throwing balls at stacks of cans. My dad was especially childish at this. Doing all sorts of exercises and mumbo jumbo moves before throwing it. My mom loves the way how dad was acting goofy.

"Hahaha! Come on, throw it already, Vincent.", Aliyah prompted Vincent.

"Okie-Dokie! Here we go!", Vincent exclaimed before throwing the ball.

However, it didn't hit the cans. Instead, it hit the stand of the cans, which are hard to knock down, but somehow dad manages to do it. And not only that, the stand of the cans he accidentally knocked down created a domino effect which all stands in that booth pushed to the ground. In the end, my mom got a gigantic teddy bear because the person who was operating that booth was surprised that happened and was laughing his ass off.

"That's lmao, right?", Roy asked.

"Right! You're getting good at internet slang. Though you still sound like a boomer.", Alvin congratulated Roy.

"What's a boomer? Is that a suicide bomber? A pyromaniac? Or someone who's has diarrhea?", Roy asked confusingly.

"Anyway!!", Alvin went back to the subject.

My mom and dad started dating afterward. Seeing how incredible a woman that mom is, dad stopped trying to be a playboy and focus on getting that booty. Literally... But like I said before, mom was playing hard to get. She was also a Christian, meaning she won't have sex until she was married. My dad didn't stop loving her though. In fact, he loved the challenge. Day by day, they talked to each other. With each date, they get to know more of one another. But one thing was bothering my mom and that was the awful smell of cigarettes.

Dad stopped taking drugs, but he didn't stop smoking nor had any intentions of stopping. He was addicted to it that he sometimes smokes in front of Aliyah. My mom tried to tell him to stop smoking. Dad, understandably, stops smoking when she's around...but not when he's alone. This even causes dad to slowly distance himself from mom.

Being a teacher, my mom knows the bad effects of smoking and the little to no good effects as well. Being the first person she loves, she didn't want him to suffer the consequences of smoking, but she also didn't want her to die from it as well. So she made an ultimatum.

"Choose me or choose to smoke? You can't pick both.", Aliyah gave Vincent a choice.

"Why do you have to ask that question? Can't we just compromise? I promise I won't smoke in front of you, ok?", Vincent tries to make a middle ground.

"No! I'm not mad because you smoke in front of me. I'm mad because you smoke, period.", Aliyah made it clear.

"Why are you against me smoking? Listen, I know that these are dangerous, but it's my choice to do so. Besides, we're all going to die at one point or another.", Vincent retorted while crossing his arms and looking away.

My mom then went in and approached dad. Hugging him closely. Trying to make him feel that she cares and loves him.

"Yes, we will all die at one point or another... But what matters is how we die. I love you, Vincent, but I don't want you to die early while I grow old heartbroken.

I want both of us to have wrinkles. I want both of us to be deaf or blind, or even both. To have white hair and lose some of it. To sit on our porch and watch our grandkids play on the front lawn. To be with each other, every single day. I want to live and die with you, Vincent. That's the very reason I want you to stop.", Aliyah explained his reason while imagining the future.

Hearing, while being hugged, made a dent in my dad's heart. To think she would think this far for him. My dad sees himself as a mess and a failure. But in the eyes of my mom, she sees what my dad can't see to himself. Someone who can be better. My dad would want to be the man my mom wants him to be.

"Ok... I'll try to...", Vincent was willing to stop smoking.

Of course, it was hard for my dad to stop smoking. Addiction is a hard enemy to kill, and you need professional help to deal with this. After the 7th time where my mom discovered my dad smoking in secret, they decided to go to therapy. Seeking medical help.

My dad stopped going out with his friends for a drink because that won't help fight his addiction. Whenever he has any changes, he always gives them to my mom so he wouldn't buy any cigarettes. And he would sometimes go to church with my mom, to at least see what's this Christianity is all about. My dad actually bought his own Bible to read on his own time so he wouldn't have any time to go out to smoke. Forcing himself to not have any free time at all.

After a few months of therapy and trying to not smoke, the addiction started to swell down a bit but not completely. There's still an itch on his body that still tells him to relax, get high, you deserve it after suffering this much, and all that. Though my dad still forces himself to not do that by distracting himself by reading. He finished the Bible and started reading other books, but he soon got bored of reading books and wanted to do something else to distract himself.

My dad was walking inside the mall, trying to find something in there. Anything. Not until he heard music. From somewhere. He finds it funky. So he followed it, to see an arcade. And the music where it was coming from was, you guessed it, Dance Dance Evolution. 2 years later of being together with my mom, in 1998, DDE was born.

My dad saw the kids playing on it. Stepping on colored arrows. Hitting them with the beat of the music. Seeing this, my dad got interested. The problem is though, he got no money since mom was responsible for that. So he picked up his cellphone and called mom. Telling her to come over here.

After a few minutes of waiting, my mom arrives. To see my dad eagerly waiting for her. His eyes lit up seeing mom. He was excited to play DDE. My mom exhaled in disappointment seeing a place that is filled with kids. Nevertheless, he approached dad.

"So, this is the place where you find it interesting?", Aliyah asked.

"Oh come on, don't give me that look. I just wanted to try out that game.", Vincent pointed at DDE.

"Dance Dance Evolution? Isn't that too old for you to play?", Aliyah questions Vincent's mental age.

"You can never be too old to try out new things.", Vincent cleverly replied.

My mom groaned after hearing, but seeing how eager dad is to play DDE, she couldn't say no to him.

"Ok, ok.", Aliyah agreed.

"Yus!", Vincent was happy.

They both stepped into the stage of DDE. Observing the game closely. My mom was especially confused.

"So, how is this played?", Aliyah needs a tutorial.

"Well, I see the kids that were playing this game before us, stomping on these arrows. I think we need to stomp hard on these to win.", Vincent's a little confused but he got the spirit.

They insert a token and the game started. They were a bit confused about the controls of the game. Especially, how to select something that they asked for the workers there to help them.

After a few minutes of struggling and embarrassment, they manage to pick a song. It was the first song on the easiest difficulty. Though they weren't prepared for what's about to happen next.

"3, 2, 1, Dance!", the game declared.

The music started playing. Soon, arrows appeared on the screen. But they were still confused about what's happening. So they missed arrows after arrows while standing still.

"Arrows? What should we do?", Vincent asked.

"I think it's telling us to step on the correct arrows at the perfect time. I mean look, those are the same arrows here. Up, down, left, and right.", Aliyah answered with logical reasoning.

My mom performed what she said and started gaining points. Dad saw this and soon copied her action. Soon they started getting it. Scoring literal scores of points. They soon actually started dancing on the spot. Having so much fun that they didn't even notice a bunch of kids that were watching them. However, they didn't care, because they love that both of them are having fun.

After this, my dad bought himself a Ninjendo Console. Playing all sorts of video games there. Maria, a Spanish Plumber that is going to save a prince. Zonic, a white rabbit that is really fast. Fighters In The Street, people who fight in the streets. And so much more.

After many more months of avoiding smoking, he managed to have the will of his own to say no to drugs. Video Games may not be a big factor as Therapy but they served a big role nonetheless. Distracting Dad long enough for him to no longer crave cigarettes.

At a certain point in time, Dad decided to get serious. The reason why for this was because of mom. For years, she has been there for him. Supporting him. Caring him. Helping him become a better man. So my dad planned to marry mom, but he needs cash to buy her an expensive ring out of his pockets.

Then he gets a better job. Becoming a tech guy. Fixing computers, TVs and all that.

"My mom told me he had to go back to school and learn all sorts of things before getting that job.", Alvin explained.

"I see. I thought that was going to be some sort of plot hole, but I guess not.", Roy replied.

For many more years, Dad has studied and got a job. For another year, Dad worked hard to save up money for their wedding. Hiding this as a secret from mom. Until it was time for.

"Wait? You booked us a hotel near a beach?", Aliyah asked.

"Yep! Packed your things, we're going for a vacation!", Vincent said while packing his stuff.

"Wait, I thought Vincent was preparing for their wedding. Why are they going to a beach?", Roy asked while interrupting the storyteller.

"Relax, I'll get there.", Alvin reassured Roy.

Scheduling at a perfect time where mom is free, they get in their car and drive off to the beach. Along the way, they saw all sorts of stuff that amazed them. The Biggest Ball Of Rubber Bands, and... Yeah, just that.

They soon arrived at the hotel. Bringing their things to their room. Then collapsing on the bed. Tired of the trip.

"You just want to sleep or explore the beach?", Vincent asked.

"Zzzzzz....", Aliyah was sleeping.

"Sleep it is.", Vincent gets closed to Aliyah and sleeps.

In the morning, they soon step on the beach while my mom wears sandals and dad was wearing Kroks. Feeling the hot sands on their footsies. Quickly, like children, Vincent pulls Aliyah and runs towards the ocean. Dragging her down on the cooling water. Mom giggles at the silliness that dad was doing.

They did all sorts of stuff on the beach, building a sandcastle, swimming, riding in a banana boat, swimming, surfboarding, swimming, and building a sandcastle again.

The sun started to fall. An orange tint was in the skies. Both my mom and dad were walking on the beach. Walking on the sidelines of the waves. Talking all sorts of things.

"It is really nice that you manage to do this. And using your money this time.", Aliyah pointed out.

"Hey, it's the least I could do. Though, this wouldn't have happened if you believe in me and kept on taking care of me.", Vincent said in response.

"Awww... Vincent, I-", Vincent interrupted Aliyah by putting his finger on her mouth.

"I'm not yet done. Before I met you, I was a mess. Nothing more than trash. Something that you can throw aside and people would understand why. But you didn't. Instead, you stayed and help. Meeting you and being with you made me a better person. You made me more, Aliyah.", Vincent said all of his thoughts out loud.

Dad then walked in front of her and kneeled. Then he reached his pockets, getting something there.

"And I would like you to make me more.", Vincent added.

Dad pulls out a box in his pocket. Then he opens it to reveal a shiny diamond ring. Mom gasped, put her hands on her mouth, and started to tear up.

"Aliyah, will you marry me?", Vincent proposed to Aliyah.

My mom started crying tears of joy. For years, she waited. Thinking that it may never happen, she was wrong. And she was glad that she was wrong for doubting dad.

"Yes!... I will...", Aliyah spoke through tears.

Dad started to tear up as well after hearing her say yes. He then stood up, approached her, and gave put the ring on her finger. Kissing her after. It was the most passionate kiss they ever did.

In the hotel, after all that stuff, let's just they were intimately wrestling with each other. And dad was winning.

"I now declared you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.", the pastor declared.

Soon, mom and dad were married. Doing the "deed" every night because they wanted a child. Wanting to be parents. And soon they got what they wished for.

"You came into their lives.", Roy interrupted again.

"Yep! I was their baby boy.", Alvin replied.

I was soon born. Making both of my parents happy. Promising that they will be the best parents for me. And I guess they did just that. They also named me from their names. Al from Aliyah and Vin from Vincent. Alvin. Pretty smart, huh.

"Huh, I didn't realize that.", Roy commented.

"Anyway!", Alvin continued on.

Mom was focused on my studies while my dad was keen on bonding with me. By going to the local arcade and playing Dance Dance Evolution. I guess you can say that the reason why I'm so good at that game was because of him.

We were all so happy. Happy that we're together and a family. Until...my dad started coughing. He coughs nonstop and no medicine was curing him. So my mom booked an appointment with a doctor. They thought that whatever my dad had was something worse. And they were right.

"Your dad had Lung Cancer?", Roy assumed.

"Wow, you're good at guessing, huh. Well, you're right.", Alvin replied.

My dad had Lung Cancer. The days of smoking were coming to haunt him. And haunt him, it did. It came to the point where my dad couldn't get out of bed and was trapped in his hospital room. He was too weak to do anything. He couldn't stand let alone walk. He always needs help with the nurses there when he wants to go to the bathroom. I get the feeling that my dad was feeling pathetic. He couldn't stop hating himself because he couldn't even help himself. I would feel that way if I was in that position.

My math exams were coming up again. And my dad...well...

"Hey, I heard that you're math exams are coming up this week. *Cough* Are you studying?", Vincent asked.

"... No...", Little Alvin wasn't.

"No? Why? *Cough*", Vincent asked.

I didn't answer. Instead, I lay beside my dad and hold his hand. I was so worried about him that I couldn't study. And I think he got that because of what he said next.

"*Cough* Alright, how about this. If you score above 90, you'll get a reward from me. *Cough* What would you like for your reward?", Vincent asked.

I... I look up to his greyish face. Having my eyes lit up after hearing what my dad said.

"I would like to go back to the arcade with you. And play DDE again.", Alvin answered.

Hearing this, made my dad have teary eyes. But I saw that was my dad was holding his tears back. Trying to put a strong front. My dad then nozzles my head weakly. Appreciating what I said.

"Of course, Alvin. We'll be going back to that arcade again. I promise.", Vincent promised.

"Awesome!!", Alvin yelled with happiness.

I was so stupid back then. I really thought that getting a high score in my exam in math would magically make my dad a-ok all of a sudden. I study hard all day, all night. Preparing myself for the day of reckoning. Memorizing every single knowledge that my math book has. Until it was already time to take the test. I may be bragging to myself but I find the test real easy, I was so confident that I perfected it. I was wrong, I only had 93/100. Having only 7 mistakes. I cursed myself for having mistakes but I was still happy that I got a score over 90, which was part of the deal I had with that.

My mom picked me up that day, and she was proud that I manage to get 93 points on my test. She even called dad that I got my end of the bargain. After that, we were heading towards the hospital where my dad was in our car. Excited to show my test papers in math to him. Until my mom received a call. She picked it and answered.

"Hello?... What?!...", Aliyah was shocked about something on the phone.

My mom quickly looked at me with a shocked expression. Then she quickly put her phone down and drive hurriedly. At that point, I was fearing for the worst. Thinking that something happened to dad...

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Johnson. We tried our best to save him.", the doctors said.

Something did. My dad died of Lung Cancer. I was so devastated by the news to hear that my dad died, that I didn't believe it. When I went home and came into my room, I tear down my test papers, frustrated that my dad broke his promise. I was so mad, thinking that he left us to go own the arcade by himself. Every day, I would go there, trying to find him. Every day I adamantly asked where dad is. Every day, I pray to God, to bring my dad back. But he didn't.

"As the years passed by, I soon accepted that he was dead. That he broke his promise. But... Even though he broke his promise, he fulfilled many of my wishes and promises. I outweigh the good with the bad and saw that my dad was still good. Believe it or not, that was the first time he ever broke his promise to me. The time he broke his promise wa the time he died. He wasn't the greatest father of all but he was still a good dad.", Alvin ends the narration of his story.

Alvin has teary eyes, remembering those days with him made him a bit sad. Roy wraps his arms around Alvin, hugging Alvin. Now, this all makes sense to Roy. Now he knows why he hates Haru so much.

"The reason why you hate Haru... Is it because you couldn't accept him to be called your dad? That you don't want to Haru replace Vincent as your father role?", Roy asked.

Alvin looks at him with red and watery eyes, then he nods silently. Closing his eyes, Alvin sobbed again. Roy tightens his embrace on Alvin. Suddenly, the door opens. Both Alvin and Roy look at who it is.

"I'm sorry that you have been feeling that way, Alvin.", Aliyah apologizes.

Aliyah then approaches Alvin slowly, she's also in the process of weeping as well. Seeing this, Roy let go of Alvin. Letting both Alvin and Aliyah hold onto each other. They both cry uncontrollably, letting all their pain out.

"Alvin... There is something that I haven't told you about...your father...", Aliyah said through her tears.

"Wha-what is it mom?", Alvin tries to hold his sadness back and wiped his tears.

Aliyah holds the hands of his son, trying to muster up the courage to say it. Say the thing she has been keeping for years.

"Your dad didn't die because of Lung Cancer. He died because of trauma on his head.", Aliyah confesses.

Alvin is dismayed, widening his eyes in shock. The fact that Alvin doesn't know this makes him silent but he uttered one word.

"Why?", Alvin asked.

"The doctors told me that he stood up after and hell, hitting the table and was bleeding out since no one was there to help until it was already too late. I think... I think your dad tried to stand up and walk because I called him and told him that you scored higher than the 90 points mark.", Aliyah explained the reason why Vincent died.

"So you're saying...it was my fault?", Alvin started to blame himself.

"No, honey! It wasn't! It was mine! I called him which made him stand up and force himself to walk!!", Aliyah exclaimed while embracing Alvin closely.

The both of them start sobbing again while Roy interrupts with his own thoughts.

"It was none of your faults.", Roy said.

Both stop and look at Roy, waiting for Roy's next response.

"The one who was at fault here was Vincent.", Roy insensitively pointed out.

Hearing this made Aliyah angry. Alvin is also distraught at what Roy says.

"How dare you-"

"But!", Roy interrupted Aliyah.

This makes everyone silent. Roy then reaches out to hold both of their hands.

"But I understand why he would do it. Vincent was feeling useless in that bed. Since he couldn't do anything without anyone's help, he hated himself. He hated the fact that he couldn't do things on his own. He was depressed at the reality he's in. However, when he heard you, Alvin, who manage to ace your math test, he was thrilled. Vincent was willing to fulfill the promise that he made to you. So he tried to stand up and.............fell. He failed and died. Unable to do what he promised to his beloved son. Though, at the very least, he died doing what he wanted because of you, Aliyah. He died trying to be better for his wife and son...", Roy explained his thoughts to them.

They soon realize what Roy says is right. The one who is at fault is Vincent. He's responsible for his own death, but he isn't doing it for himself. Instead, Vincent does it for his family.

"Vincent is a good father and a husband. Not the best but...a good man nonetheless.", Roy added.

Knowing what Roy says, makes Aliyah and Alvin include him in their hug. Haru, who's watching this, just stands there, not knowing what to do. Until Aliyah invites Haru by extending her arm to him. Not wanting to feel left out, Haru joins in as well. After a few seconds, Alvin wraps his arms around Haru. Haru's surprised by this but lets it slide. Alvin doesn't want to ruin this precious moment.

'The first few steps of acceptance are usually the hardest ones. Take it slow, Alvin.', Roy thought while smiling at the sight of this.