The one Opportunity

I tiptoe all the way to the stairs and seat down on the floor, hiding behind the second floor's wall for my father not to see me... Listening in as the conversation is starting to heat up

-You have turned your back on ages ago! What do you want now? Take my kids away?! Rise them as some pampered nobles?- shouts my father quite enraged -Your own daughter had to run away because of you, that should serve you as a lesson-

-Is really don't mean any harm... I just wanted to... Meet them, they look so much like her I...- murmurs the older man

-So what? You're the one who hurt her the worst, stop trying to be pitiful now- growls my father -You took everything your daughter loved away from her, snatched her wings away and even opposed our marriage to the point she had to run away...-

-But I did it for her! If she married you and lived as a commoner she wouldn't receive the necessary treatment for her illness...!-

-Nonsense! If you had allowed her to study what she liked and get a job, she would have been able to earn well and treat her illness! I was ready to wait for her and support her, but you just had to force her into taking the decision of running away!- stops him my father as the other man tries to talk

-I... I know. I've been a terrible father, a monster... There's no use in arguing over that, I acknowledge my guilt... Back then, when my wife fell into depression and left I realized how everything I did was wrong. I tried to search for you two but in vain... Years after, all I found was a stone slate with my daughter's name on it-

-Then why are you even here? I've already suffered enough because of you, do me a favor and go away-

-Let me make amends, I beg you! I failed my daughter and caged her, denying her the right to fly with her art... But I can still make something for her-

-What are you even talking about?- scoffs my father -You forced her to stop painting, falsely told her I was dead to split us apart and shut her in her room to learn etiquette for months... Now she's dead, there's nothing you can do to fix that-

I jolt at those words... Did he really do all that? My mother must have been so heartbroken, secluded in her room and thinking the man she loved had died... I can't even imagine what went through her mind when she decided to escape, without any future in front of her.

-Your first born, Lou. I was the paintings... I can see the same talent as Camille-

-Don't you dare touch Lou, nor Francois... They are all I have left of her!-

-Is don't mean that, I don't want to take them away from you nor hurt them! I swear! I was just thinking, since I have the money and Lou the talent... Maybe I can be of help, I can do what I couldn't with Camille-

Silence falls a few second in the room and I find myself leaning forward, anxious to know what their next words will be.

-You don't mean...?- -Yes, I do... I will take on all the expenses and allow Lou to study Art in that school my daughter wished to attend. The one only for the world most excellent prodigies-

I am left speechless by that statement... Can I really accept such an offer? Actually I want to but, me?! This feels like an opportunity that shouldn't be given to someone like me.

-B b but that's in England... Lou will have to live away and that school is said to be a living hell... Only the best of the best can make it till the end... It's not like Lou doesn't have talent but, we're commoners... Insects into those people's eyes-

-We need to trust Lou for that, I'm sure that no teacher or spoiled kid will be able to crush one's passion if you love it enough-

It's true, I love Art... I love painting! I want to do it for the rest of my life!

-I... Don't know- says my father and that those words I run down the stairs without thinking -I'll go!- my shout interrupts them and leaves both schoked -I want to go, I'll never know if I can take it if I don't even try... Dad, please, let me go-

-But... That's far away and... You will be completely on your own also... Once you come back it will be hard to adapt again...-

My grandfather coughs to stop his train of thoughts -Do you want to make my same mistakes?-

Hearing that he shakes his head and slaps himself -You're right, I don't. Lou, if that's really what you wish for... Then I have no intention of holding you back-

I smile but before I could say anything more, the elder behind me speaks again -Will then, I will take care of all the paper work and be back as soon as I have you accepted into the college. Take this time to bid farewell to your friends, Lou... I'll see you soon-

I nod and bend down to show him gratitude -Thank you so much for all of this, really-

-No need to thank me, I'm just doing what your mother would have done if she was still here with us. Well, goodbye for now-

We see him off and as soon as the door closes I hear Francois start crying upstair -Oh no, I completely forgot about him!- I run up the stairs and unlock the door, finding him curled up on his bed -You were leaving without me! You want to leave me here like Laney's parents!-

-Sorry sorry, we weren't leaving. We just said goodbye to the grandpa, we are still here and won't...- the word leave gets stuck in my throat -Come here now, I'm sure dad wants to talk to us downstairs- I pick him up and go down to the lower floor where our father looks at us with a troubles expression, still trying to take in what just happened.