The Synopsis
Synopsis: Facing the Fear
Timeline: Some time during 1st season.
Story: A conversation between Father and Son
Violence: None
Author: Alisa Joaquin
Disclaimer: All characters are borrowed except those created by me. All other characters (from KF:TLC and we know who they are) are property of Warner Brothers. I promise to give them back when I am done with them (of course I do not know how long that will be.) I give permission to archive.
The Story
"Pop, what are you afraid of?"
"I do not fear."
"Oh come on, Pop. You've got to be afraid of something. You know I'm afraid of heights. Jody is afraid of not finding a husband. I'm not sure what Kermit is afraid of, but I think it might be someone finding out that he's got a heart."
"I believe Jody is afraid of being alone. And Kermit is afraid of becoming too close."
"Pop, you're getting off subject," Peter stated. "Come on, there's got to be something you are afraid of."
"You mean something like an irrational fear of spiders . . ."
"Yeah, something like that. You've got to be afraid of something."
Caine grew silent as he pondered his son's question. Should he reveal what he knew? When Peter was a child, his son had always saw him as being fearless. He never seemed to show fear in any situation, but that was not true. He had known fear, many times, an irrational fear that he could not escape from. One day that fear became a reality that tore his soul in two. It was what caused him to lose a part of himself and to wander for 15 years of his life. Every day during that time he wished for the loneliness to end, but now that the loneliness and the isolation was gone, that same old fear would raise its ugly head again, and he would once again fight against it. Perhaps if he voiced it, the fear would not have so much power over him. Perhaps, he could let go and allow things to happen as they should.
"Pop? Are you all right?"
"To answer your question, my son, yes I do have a fear." Caine stated, his head bent low as if to hide the shame.
"Was is it?" Peter asked greedily, hanging on his father's every word.
Caine looked up into his son's hazel eyes. Tears welled as he allowed that fear to take control just this once. He reached up and placed a hand gently on Peter's cheek.
"I am afraid of losing you, my son."
Peter blinked a couple times, momentarily stunned by his father's words, then found his voice. "But all parents are afraid to lose their children."
"But not all parents get a second chance to be with their children."
"Pop, you won't lose me. I'm here to stay." Peter tried to reassure his father.
"No Peter, eventually children leave their parents when they are ready."
"But we never had that chance to say goodbye that first time. Now we can do it right."
Caine sighed and realized his son's words held truth. They had not said goodbye, except at a grave that neither knew was truly empty. He especially could not let go of the child that he thought was lost. Even though his son was a man, Caine was still afraid to lose him, because all he saw was the child that he had lost, and not the man that he had become. Seeing the truth, Caine let go of the fear, at least for the moment.
"Promise me you will do one thing, my son."
"What's that?"
"Learn to duck."
End
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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