Chapter 1
Antoine
Opening the front door, Antoine faced the most challenging part of his life: deception. His father, Robert, whom he’d only known for five days, was picking him up for some family bonding. And Antonie was not happy—not one bit.
“You ready, son!” Robert cheerily asked.
Antoine pushed past, clinging to his worn-out backpack.
“Who the hell is he calling son,” he mumbled, not really caring if Robert heard or not.
He was only going to this family meet and greet because of his mother, and even then, it was like pulling teeth for him. Antoine glanced back to see Robert at the front door talking to his mother, Theresa. She crossed her arms and stared coldly at Robert as they spoke. It didn’t appear that she wanted Antione to go anyway, but that wasn’t what she said last night.
“Honey, this will be good for you. You need a male figure in your life that will guide you in ways that I won’t be able to.”
“I could care less about Robert or his other bastard children!”
She scolded him afterward. His siblings were just like him: alone, afraid of the world without a father figure actively involved in their lives.
Now, Antoine waited in Robert’s backseat. He’d be damned if he sat in the front with him. It would give him an excuse to speak.
After a few minutes, Robert said farewell to Theresa and headed toward the car. She said something. He couldn’t hear what, but Robert’s expression almost made him grin. Get ‘im, Mom. Don’t let him think he’s won you over just because you’re making me go with him.
Robert’s face was grim, saddened almost, but once his eyes looked up and saw Anotonie, he tried to smile. But he could see right through it. His mother didn’t waste time with being polite. Whatever she said, it was enough to make Robert almost as unhappy about this as Antione. At least they had one thing in common.
The drive was slow and grueling, meeting a never-ending road. Antoine didn’t even bother asking where they were going. It didn’t matter. Wherever it was, it wasn’t going to be enjoyable.
“It’s going to be a fun time for you to get to know your siblings,” Robert strained, voice dry from not talking for longer than an hour.
Robert tried connecting Antonie’s eyes with his in the rearview mirror, but he kept his gaze on his lap, playing a video game to distract himself from this mess.
“What are you playing?” Robert tired once more.
“Game,” Antoine responded, trying to keep the conversation short and sweet.
“What kind of game?”
Antoine turned off his phone and looked straight into Robert’s eyes.
Robert kept waiting for a response, but alas, that never came. They were stuck in this never-ending loop of depressing silence, complemented by bland music that was supposed to lighten the mood, but in reality, it made everything more noticeable.
Finally, Robert said, “I know that this might be hard for you to understand–”
“It’s not, actually,” interrupted Antoine.
“This is hard for me, Antoine. So much harder than you or your brothers and sister may know.”
“I’m sure.” Antonie scoffed. “Was your entire life a lie? I was told my father died in a car accident when I was a baby. And here you are, jumping in at the most inopportune time when I don’t need you anymore. I’m sure none of us do.”
“It’s more complicated than you think, son–”
“Stop calling me son!” His voice erupted, causing the car to stop in the middle of the road.
Robert turned around and faced him.
“I am your father, whether you like it or not, Antoine. And I know I haven’t been there for you when I should have. But I’m here now, and that’s all that should matter. In about ten minutes or so, you’re going to meet your siblings, and you can’t sit around saying that it doesn’t matter – that we don’t matter because that isn’t the truth. I know I have a lot of making up to do for all the lost time, but I’m here, aren’t I? And I’ll explain everything when the time comes.”
“Too late.”
“What?”
“You’re here too late,” Antoine repeated, pinching his palms to stop any tears that threatened to spill.
“It’s never too late.” Robert only said, turning the car back into drive.
The campsite was open and filled with fresh air. Clear of any remaining smog from the city streets. This was nature at its finest.
“So,” Antoine started, chewing at his bottom lip to hold in his smirk. He was about to poke a bear… “How many bastards do you have, Robert?”
Robert let out a large sigh, finally putting the car in park. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he hopped out of the vehicle and began unloading some remaining camping gear.
“They are your siblings. Do not refer to them as that.” For the first time, Robert’s words felt like a leash painfully constricting around Antione’s throat. Making him gasp and reach for his neck to ease the growing pressure. He thought he was imagining things because there was no way Robert was choking him using just his voice. But his instincts knew better, and it made him angry.
“Well, that’s what they are… what I am. I think that’s suitable,” he strained, refusing to back down.
Robert dropped his bags and glared. Antoine felt the force tighten with it. He wanted to apologize, to cower, to run. Robert is faster and stronger. I can’t fight him!
“Stop. Just stop with the attitude. I can only take so much.” The force of the words almost made Antoine pass out as spots began filling his vision. His confusion and fear slowly returned to anger as he saw Robert smirking.
His neck strained, and a bead of sweat deterred from his scalp. He was on the edge of spilling over but into what was a different question.
Antoine wanted to keep picking, and he almost did, but the way Robert stepped a little closer to his still-seated form made Antoine realize he didn’t know Robert. He could have a short fuse for all he knew. So he said nothing, as he slowly got out of the car.
They walked down the terrain, taking in the swamp smell and breezy flies. It was peaceful and magical, even for how quiet it all was. That didn’t last long, though. As they walked closer and closer to the campsite where Robert’s kids were held up, he heard yelling and arguing. Antoine’s hands began to sweat.
What if they don’t like me? What if they think I’m weird–
He shook his head. It wouldn’t matter if they liked him or not. They are related by one thing. Robert.
