Chapter 9 - The Final Knock
It was a rainy Tuesday night when the doorbell rang at Arthur’s heavily gated home.
Arthur checked the security tablet on the kitchen island and saw his mother standing in the downpour.
She looked absolutely miserable, shivering under a cheap, broken umbrella.
Against his better judgment, Arthur walked to the front door and opened it, leaving the heavy security screen locked in place.
“Arthur, please,” Margaret begged, her makeup running down her face in dark streaks.
“We have to move into a tiny motel tomorrow, we have nothing left.”
Arthur stared at her, searching his own heart for a trace of the little boy who used to crave his mother's approval.
That boy was gone, replaced by a father who would protect his kids at any cost.
“You had a beautiful home, unlimited money, and a family that loved you,” Arthur said quietly.
“All you had to do was treat my children with basic human decency.”
“We can change, we promise, just give us one more chance!” she cried, grabbing the metal mesh of the screen door.
“You didn’t come here because you are sorry for hurting Chloe, Ethan, and Liam,” Arthur replied, his voice devoid of emotion.
“You came here because you ran out of money.”
May you like
He reached forward and closed the heavy solid wood door, locking the deadbolt with a loud, final click.
He walked away from the door, leaving the ghosts of his past standing out in the rain.
