Zachary Blake was a quiet, thoughtful kid. In class he always picked the seat by the window, staring out at the street as if waiting for someone. The other lads didnt bully him, but they never really tried to befriend him Zach seemed a bit odd to them.
He lived with his gran, Agnes. His mum had died when he was very small and he never knew his dad at all. Gran would say hed lost his way in life and that was all she could add.
Every morning Gran walked Zach to the school gates, and each afternoon shed be waiting at the gate. She was old and shuffled slowly, but she always held his hand tight. When she was unwell, Zach had to make the trek alone, and then hed stare at the window even longer, hoping to spot a familiar face.
One break a new kid shuffled over a freckled, ginger boy called Tommy Hart.
Why are you sitting there like an owl? he asked, pulling up a chair beside Zach.
Zach shrugged. Nothing. Just that.
Me, I cant stand just nothing, Tommy said, pulling a crumpled chocolate bar from his pocket and snapping it in half. Here, have one.
Zach was surprised but took it. He wasnt used to people sharing.
Thanks, he muttered.
No worries, Tommy waved it off. My dad works at a chocolate factory, so Ive got a sea of chocolate! He spread his arms wide.
Zach managed a small smile.
From that day they were inseparable. Tommy was loud, always cooking up some scheme, while Zach just listened and laughed. After school theyd wander the streets, sometimes ending up at Tommys house. His dad, a tall booming man, would serve them hot cheese toasties and spin funny yarns.
Zach watched them and thought, I wish I had that.
One afternoon Tommy asked, So wheres your dad?
Zach fell silent. Gran says he got lost.
How do you lose a dad? Tommy frowned.
Well he left and never came back.
Tommy scratched his head. Odd. Maybe we should look for him?
Where would we start?
Lets ask my dad. Hes smart.
That evening they went to Tommys place and Zach, stumbling over his words, spilled the whole story.
You know, Tommys father said, sometimes grownups dont even know how to find their way back. He might be ashamed, or scared of being unforgiven.
Can you not be forgiven? Zach asked.
You can, the man replied, but only if you really want to.
He thought a moment, then pulled out a notebook. I have a mate in the police, works on missing persons. If your dads on record, we can track him down.
Zachs fists clenched. Really?
Really. Give me his name, any details youve got.
Zach rattled off his fathers first name, surname, the town hed been born in somewhere near Sheffield and promised to get his birthdate from Gran. Tommys dad wrote everything down.
Dont expect it overnight. These things take time, he warned.
Weeks slipped by one, two, three and Zachs hope was fading.
Then, one crisp afternoon as he walked home from school, a tall man was leaning against the block of flats, smoking and glancing nervously at his watch.
Zach froze. The man looked up, their eyes met.
Zachary? the man whispered.
Zach didnt answer; fear surged.
I Im your dad, the man said, stepping forward, but Zach stepped back.
Gran at home?
Yes
Then come with me?
Zach nodded.
They walked up together. Gran opened the door, saw the man and burst into tears.
Finally, she sobbed.
That night, over dinner, the dad explained where hed been all those years mistakes, regrets, trying to start anew.
I didnt know how to get back, he admitted, voice shaking. I was ashamed until the police called.
Zach stayed quiet, then asked, Are you staying?
The man looked at him and nodded. If you let me.
Ill let you, Zach whispered.
He lowered his gaze, then threw his arms around his fathers neck.
Stay! he whispered, clutching the mans coat. Just dont disappear again, alright?
His dad hugged him so hard the back of the chair creaked.
I promise, he said, voice trembling. Im not going anywhere.
Gran dabbed her eyes with a teatowel and set a steaming cabbage pie his dads favourite on the table.
Eat up, love, she said, homecooked.
As they ate, Zach kept stealing glances at his father. He wasnt the superhero hed imagined, just an ordinary bloke, a bit tired, with crowsfeet around his eyes. Yet when he laughed, those lines turned into funny little roads and his eyes sparked with mischief.
Before bed the dad slipped into Zachs room.
Can I read? he asked, pointing at the book on the nightstand.
Zach nodded and shifted aside.
His dads voice was warm, a little husky just like the story Zach used to tell himself as a kid. He read aloud, and Zach felt sleep might come quicker, yet he found himself wanting to just lie there and listen.
Dad, he interrupted at the most dramatic part, what about tomorrow can we go out?
His dad closed the book. Of course. Where to?
The park. The rides Ive never been on any of them.
Then tomorrow will be your first, his dad grinned. Deal.
He ruffled Zachs hair, switched off the light, and left the door ajar just like Gran always did.
The next morning Zach raced into school and ran straight to Tommy.
Hes here! Your dad helped! Zach shouted.
Tommy laughed and gave him a hug. Of course he did! What else would he do?
From then on Zach never stared out the window during lessons. He knew someone was waiting for him.
Later that evening, as his dad helped with homework, Zach noticed his father twirling his pencil thoughtfully.
Everything okay? Zach asked.
His dad sighed, Just thinking I missed so many years your first steps, learning to read, your first day at school
Zach frowned, then bolted up and fetched an old photo album.
Look, Gran kept all these. Take a peek.
They flipped through the pages, laughing at the goofy snapshots, and then his dad pulled Zach into a tight hug.
Thanks for giving me a second chance, he said.
You promised not to vanish again, Zach replied seriously. Then youre doing it right.
Outside the street lamps flickered on, the kitchen smelled of Grans pies, and unfinished worksheets lay on the table. But none of that mattered. They were together, and nobody was going anywhere.
