Chapter Ten

Joe reluctantly called his father. He lived out of state now but they talked now and then. Their relationship had never been great, but since his mother’s death years ago, Joe blamed her premature death partially on his father. It was a miracle that they talked at all.

There was a new woman in his father’s live as well. His father had cleaned up is act to some degree, apparently, to keep this new, younger woman around. Joe wondered why his father couldn’t do that for he and his mother, years ago. That made the already strained relationship even more tenuous.

Joe tried to explain why he and Suzan were no longer together without into the awful details. Joe tried to tell him that he was okay and that he was still going to Africa for a much needed working vacation. Joe didn’t go into the awful details of what Suzan had done. He knew that despite their issues, his father liked Suzan a great deal. Joe didn’t mention that another woman would be traveling with him in a platonic situation. he knew that his father was too old to grasp that idea easily.

Joe’s father had come back to New York once when the announcement of Joe and Suzan’s engagement was announced to meet her. Joe had no other family and he felt like he had to show up for his son. It went great and Joe’s father and Suzan had hit it off.

Joe’s father almost fainted when Joe told him that the wedding was off and that he was still going to Africa.

“What did you do son? Did you screw things up like I did with your mother?” Joe was glad to hear that his father could now admit that he was a bastard to his wife and a terrible father.

“What the hell Joe,” he said. “That won’t look good to those you work with.”

It’s not going to come up dad. She’s just going on vacation as well and may help me a little on my projects that I’ll be doing there.” “That’s just asking for trouble Joe. You know how these things always turn out. A couple of stiff drinks and your guard will come down and “boom,” your in the sheets with this gal. I thought you were going on this vacation to get over Suzan.”

“The work will keep me occupied and out of harms way, I should think. No free time means no time for trouble.” Joe continued, I’ll be leaving in three weeks and be gone for a month.”

That’s a hell of a vacation son.” Joe’s father was always dubious about Joe’s plans no matter what they were. he was excited for Joe in his own quiet way but cautious as always. He was nervous about Joe going to such a remote and backward continent like Africa.

“Why can’t you go to England or someplace like that where they have the proper facilities. It’s going to be rough on you son, you’re just a city boy, after all.” Joe’s father thought that Africa seemed an over reaction to a breakup, even with your fiance. He had forgotten that the honeymoon destination had been for there.

“Dad, Africa had already been planned for the honeymoon destination. I’m just going on a trip that I had already planned and paid for.”

“Can’t you just get half your money back?”

“It’s all been taken care of dad.” Joe could hear the fear and disappointment in his father’s voice. “I really liked Suzan, Joe.”

“So did I dad, but it just hasn’t worked out so I’m going on this trip to heal my broken heart and do some work to keep me occupied during this difficult time.”

“I really feel sorry for you Joe, keep your chin up.” “Thanks dad.”

Joe was not going to be persuaded otherwise. He told his father all about his plans to create a travel book of this part of East Africa filled with pictures and stories. His father thought that it sounded like a useless undertaking. He held little regard for the work his son did. He didn’t like what his son did for a living. He didn’t see it as a real job like building something as he had done

Joe’s father was disappointed about the failure of his son’s marriage plans but glad that he hadn’t fallen apart. He was surprised by his son’s ability to get through these hard times.

Writing seemed to be a cowards retreat from the world to Joe’s father. “Writing about the world instead of living in it was a waste of time,” he thought.

“Love you dad, I’m going back to work now. Talk to you again soon.”

“Okay Joe, talk to you again soon.”

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So, that was Chapter Ten.

Now we have met Joe’s father.

Much to come next.

All is not as it seems in Chad’s world.