Chapter Twenty two

Dealing with your past

Eric's Father went to see Laura's father

Laura's father said "what are you doing here?"

Eric's Father said "I think you know why I'm here, can I come in so we can talk?"

Laura's father said "it's been years, what you want to say it's too late now."

Eric's Father said "I know Laura's Mother is dead, you know I ruined her life and our friendship, please forgive me. "

Laura's father said "you have no idea, how hard it was to raise Laura with this secret, her mother changed I don't think Laura knew the incredible woman I knew before you abused her."

Eric's Father said "I'm sorry, I was an animal coward who run away didn't face the music, and I want to change that by speaking out about abuse against woman."

Laura's father said "do you think your speech will change what you did, she is dead you couldn't apologize while she was alive."

Eric's Father said "I did apologize to her, I bump into her years ago and saw you coming I ran. "

Laura's father said "I remember that day, I fought with her was angry that she gave you a chance to speak I hated you I still do."

Eric's Father said "I don't blame you, I only said sorry not much I'm ashamed of myself, please forgive me and it won't change what I did but I can be a voice of change. "

Laura's father said "I really don't care what you do, I accept your apology life is too short."

Eric's Father said "Thank you, I heard Laura no longer lives here."

Laura's father said "it's my fault, just don't know how to fix it, I was in hospital I thought about everything and now I get why she hates me."

Eric's Father said "are you sick?"

Laura's father said "I'm dying don't have time on my side, to hold on to grudges and not forgiving, do you think I will go to heaven if I die today?"

Eric's Father said "do you want to be born again?"

Laura's father said "yes, I'm desperate. "

College lunchtime, Laura, Eric and Jakes having lunch together.

Jakes said "how was your meeting with the vice chancellor?"

Laura said "you won't believe what the meeting was about."

Eric said "what happened?"

Laura said "Mr Grey, was complaining about me and that I should not write exams."

Jakes said "all this because of being late, he is crazy what about the other students?"

Eric said "their parents make donations here and their skin colour works in their favour. "

Jakes said "Mr Grey, just old school has nothing to do with race."

Laura said "really old school, "people like me "what does that mean, 90 % are white students and 10% other races."

Jakes said "you are mix, why do you feel the need to fight for one side, you seem to have chosen being black and white part of you doesn't matter."

Eric said "dude we get you're white, talking about such conversation is not comfortable," not everything is about race and don't use the race card" what is it then?"

Jakes said "you guys tell me then since I am clueless."

Laura said "I embrace who I am, there's no side I chose, why should there be side's to this, I learn about my mother and my father cultures."

Jakes said "I hear you, I just feel you have this thing of fighting for one side, yesterday talking about workers and their salaries. You sounded like a human activist not a business student."

Eric said "should I leave now?"

Laura and Jakes said "No"

Laura said "forgive me for caring about people, you don't see nothing wrong with what your father does?"

Eric said "equal pay for everyone, workers are exploited by greed business people, they work for peanuts while the people on the top get to enjoy the fruits of that labour."

Jakes said "you two are definitely siblings, you sound the same "fruits of that labour" it's just business."

Laura said " I would appreciate next time have my back, you didn't do a thing while your father was asking me hundreds of questions and do you think you made a mistake inviting me to stay at your home ?"

Eric said "you now live together, eat lunch together wow, where have I been?"

Jakes said "Eric, please leave me and Laura we need to ...."

Eric said "totally get it, I'm on your side Laura bye."

Jakes said "Really Eric, anyway I don't have doubts about you and you pass the test. I wanted to hear what you like about me."

Laura said "is that all?"

Jakes said "the list thing or these rules you keep talking about I want to see it."

Laura said "I knew it, you could not defend me to your father, you were mad and there's no list."

Jakes said "so it is all in your head?"

Laura said "let it go."

Jakes said "I can't, does this rules you live by allow you to be human and make mistakes?"

Laura said "everyone makes mistakes."

Jakes said "do you know that, you want to be perfect and right all the time."

Laura said "I will try, I won't be judgemental, and I won't be a perfectionist. Is that what you want?"

Jakes said "I don't want to change you, you're perfect the way you're I love you Laura. "

Laura said "okay, anything else we need to talk about?"

Jakes said "my father, don't let him bully you or use you to get to me, has been trying to get me to work for him."

Laura said "how is that a bad thing and to graduate you need to work."

Jakes said "I will do that with you, on my terms. "

Laura said "okay, let's go home babe."

Jakes said "let's head home my lovely woman."

She didn't say I love you too babe but jakes was patient man, I mean he prayed to have her in his life.

*Eric's father had some good news to share to his son*

Eric's Father said "Son, you won't believe what I'm about to tell you?"

Eric said "what is it?"

Eric's Father said "Laura's father forgave me and he is now a born again."

Eric said "wow that's amazing news, Laura won't believe this."

Eric's Father said "he is dying does not have much time left."

Eric said "does Laura know?"

Eric's Father said "I don't think so."

Eric said "So, him dying is the reason he accepted Lord Jesus as his saviour. "

Eric's Father said "does it matter, you will need to tell Laura."

Eric said "Why me and where is my mother?"

Eric's Father said "I don't know. "

Eric said "you don't know where your wife is."

Eric's Father said "I don't think I still have a wife."

Eric said "how do you marry someone and then one day, you wake up don't realise who they have become or maybe that's how they were you knew and tried to change them."

Eric's Father said "I don't have the answers son."