My Father

[FredFourth]

Dad held court with so many tenants, I thought as
a child that he was the manager of the building.

As I got older I saw he ran a much larger organisation,
always busy and surrounded by colleagues. The meetings

would go on all day with people queuing to see him.
Evenings were our special times, Mum doting on

him with her own way of cooking his favourite meals.
He told me stories, me on his lap... then being carried to bed.

Our love was perfect, I told Dad about my days
even about the janitor who had lifted my skirt to peek.

Dad was angry, but said, "Maybe he was drinking too much."
The janitor was hit by a truck three weeks later.

"Pity, said Dad, he died so quick." and I nodded poor man.
Dad lavished gifts on me, but I had to earn them, "No

freeloading." he told me. I had my chores. Dad bought
me a car at seventeen, I worked it off between college

with some bookkeeping for him, Hours of double entry
bookkeeping, profit-and-loss and balance sheets for his smaller

enterprises. Bought ledger, sales ledger and reconciliation,
BACS, depreciation and cost/replacement curves, all served

to pay for that car. "Now, Dad said after five years, You can
stand alone." and I could. I was a pretty good bookkeeper.

My dad was a popular man, we had no crime in our area,
occasionally he would walk around the blocks where we lived

accompanied by his colleagues. People loved my father and
widows especially sought him out to thank and kiss.

When I brought Jack home, Dad took him aside, they chatted
for hours. "He's good for you darling." He told me. It was decided

Jack would keep away from the business, but pick up consultancy
fees for advice he gave to Dad's organisation without being part

of it. Those two got on big time, we moved out to the suburbs
but kept in touch at holidays. Dad's death came suddenly,

'Gang warfare' said the newspapers and my eyes began to open.
As many police as mourners at his funeral, so many I did not know.

Mom died too, threw herself in front of the gang that attacked, took
the bullet meant for him. Dad so strong, died of multiple stab wounds.

Then I fully comprehend how Dad had made his living. I was told that
the deal had been made years before with all the families, I was

untouchable. The price agreed: dismemberment of our family business
on his death. Jack and I were safe, I miss Dad so much even though . . .