History Doesn't Repeat Twice
“Fitz are you sure you want to do this?” Jemma said over the phone as 35 years old Fitz sat in the parking lot of a pub.
“Jemma, we said it ourselves, we’re going to spend time doing things that we wish we did. Do I need to remind you of that plant exhibition again?”
Fitz can hear Jemma scowling against the phone, “it was a rare tropical plant that only blooms every 100 years Fitz only a fool would miss it.”
“So that meant standing there for 2 hours waiting when we could have been looking at the monkeys instead?”
“Oh sod off Fitz you weren’t…” but before Jemma can finish her sentence Fitz watches a heavy man with salt and pepper hair walk into the pub.
He thought back to the time his father called his mum because he was too drunk to get back home himself.
“Jemma I should get going.”
“Alright. Just… Just be careful okay?”
“It’s going to be fine love, I’ll be home soon.”
Stepping outside, Fitz shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked at the cloudy mid-evening.
It was an average size pub with its dim lighting and everything being made out of wood as the TV at the bar - where his father was - showed the game.
It’s going to be fine, just stick to the plan.
As he walks Fitz's heart keeps beating faster until he taps the back of his father.
Fitz's breath hitched as strong blue eyes stared at him with fear and recognition, “Leopold.”
“Father,” unsure what to say Fitz went back to his plan, “You know Radcliffe?” His father nodded his head shocked by how well his son aged, “well he told me that he met you a few years ago with something to tell me and… and I just wanted to know.”
Alistair got up as he patted Fitz on the back, “let’s talk outside, alright?”
Fitz nodded as the two of them walked into the cool Scottish air and an uncomfortable silence was drawn between them.
After a while Fitz finally said something. “How have you been?”
“Good,” as he pulled a ciggy out of his pocket and tried to offer one to Fitz. He denied.
“Ah, well that’s good,” as he takes a puff.
After finishing his smoke and Fitz's patience started lowing Alistair finally addressed the elephant in the room.
“Look, son, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,” he said putting a hand on his shoulder. “But I had no choice. You and your mum were fine on your own, I was only doing what’s best for you.”
Fitz scrunched his eyebrows.
Best for you.
BEST. FOR. YOU.
After twenty years that’s all you have to say?
“What do you mean you ‘didn’t have a choice’ you did have a choice and choose to run.”
“Leopold.”
“Don’t,” he said sticking a finger in his face. “Twenty years dad, twenty years and you didn’t even bother to do anything about it.”
“Son it was for the best.” He said again calmly. “It was hard. Jobs weren’t hiring, Linda wasn’t being paid that much and soon leaving was just easier and better. And wasn’t it better Leopold.” He said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “One day Leopold you will understand.”
Narrowing his eyes, Fitz glared at his father and Alistair nodded, “I see.” He said quietly, “do you want to talk about him?”
“It’s a she, actually,” as he looked at the ground. “And she’s not easy.” He chuckled, “A few weeks ago we were at the zoo to look at a plant. She cried for an hour due to boredom and was irritated the whole day.”
Alistair grunted as if he was trying to say, “ I know where she gets it from.”
But Fitz moved on, “she’s smart but she still messes up her addition and subtraction, and sometimes she would say things that would absolutely make zero sense.”
Alistair nodded his head, “well that’s children for you.” He chuckles.
“Look,” Fitz said, shifting his feet. “I’m not mad anymore, I just… I get why you left but, dad, but me and mum we would have helped you. We would have done everything to fix up your life, so I just want to know. Why weren’t we good enough?”
Alistair was quiet and from all the years of studying facial expressions, Fitz can see the look of regret and shame on his face and Fitz thought that was enough of an apology from him.
Fitz was about to go when Alistair called him, “son I just want to tell you that my reason for leaving wasn’t because of you.”Fitz nodded and Alistair pursed his lips, “I feel like you deserve to know that.” As he walked back inside.
Driving back to the motel Fitz sigh as he got his phone out and called Jemma, as he laid down on the bed he heard the phone pick up.
“Dad?”
Chuckling softly Fitz smiled, “yeah monkey, it’s dad.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Tomorrow I promise.”