Tiny: It was a day like any other day. I woke up in bed with a feeling of safety. Being born into this timeline is something special I'd say. Every day is a good day. Not a dangerous person in sight.

_____________________________________________________

Melissa: " Knock, knock "

Tiny: " Come in..! "

Melissa: " How's my birthday boy doing? I made you some breakfast in bed sweetie :) "

Tiny: " Ooo bacon and eggs, thanks mom! "

Melissa: " No problem honey, come to the kitchen when you're ready, we have a surprise for you. "

Tiny: " Alright. "

Tiny: As I was looking down at my eggs, I thought to myself, " who's we? " It had always been just me and my mom. I hope there aren't any guests over..

Tiny: Oh well, let's see what the ruckus is about.

______________________________________________________

[the kitchen]

Tiny's eyes widened and his mouth fell to the floor, metaphorically of course. He hadn't seen this man since he was seven.

Tiny: " Dad!? "

Carter: " Well what are you doing over there all speechless and stuff? Aren't you gonna give your old man a hug? "

Tiny: As I reluctantly reached over to give him a hug, I couldn't help wondering where he had been all this time. A dozen questions were circulating my brain. I was just about close to short circuiting--but there was one question I couldn't ignore.

Tiny: Was it worth it?

...

As Melissa stood there in silence, her heart sank. She had started to wonder if bringing Carter home was a mistake.

Melissa: " Tiny... "

Carter: " Was what worth it, champ? "

Tiny: " Don't play dumb Carter. I'm seventeen now. It's not the time to be avoiding questions. Did you enjoy picking a petty piece of land over mom and me? "

...

Carter: " I'm sorry I came in this way. I just didn't understand how to put into words that I regretted all of it. "

Carter: I realized my failures not only as a father, but a husband too. My soul had been darkened from regret and the urge to be pitied. I could only rely on hope, the small piece of it that would grant forgiveness. After all, my son must've really hated me... calling me by my first name and all.

Carter: " I'm sorry I hadn't been a proper father to you. I'm sorry for leaving and I'm genuinely sorry for it all. I come back here today asking for one thing. "

Carter: " ... I want to be in your life again. "

...

Tiny: " What? "

Tiny: " You come back into my life after ten years, and you ask for something so bold!? "

Tiny: Anger was quickly filling my veins and as I looked around me, I noticed my mom trembling... I would've lost it if not for her.

Tiny: How could I forget? I'm not the only one here...

Tiny: I turned to my mom, " Sorry mom. I didn't mean to get so upset. Everything is fine okay? I just need to go into my room and think. "

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______________________________________________________

[Tiny's Room]

Tiny: I grabbed my pillow and threw it across the room, " ARGH!!! "

Tiny: Why now dad, why?

Tiny: It's funny.. I spent half of my conscious life wishing he would come back. I replayed the fantasy over and over in my head. I wanted him to say, " I'm sorry, I want to be here for you now. " But, now that the moment is actually here, why is there a hole in my heart?

Tiny: I'm so confused...

______________________________________________________

[the kitchen]

Melissa: " Come sit down Carter. "

Melissa: " I was afraid this would happen. Tiny is a very sensitive boy despite his exterior."

Melissa: " Please give it time, and don't give up on him again. "

Carter: 'again' she said..

Those words hurt Carter more than he realized, but he knew in his heart after all--he deserved it. Within a sigh, he came to peace with the fact that the past can not be rewritten.

Carter: " I won't, I promise. "

Carter: " I'm here to stay permanently. But, ya know Melissa.. I'm not just staying for Tiny. I love you as well and have missed you dearly. I'm an idiot for ever leaving you and him behind. "

Roses and rainbows suddenly appeared in Melissa's head. Those words were magic to her ears.

Melissa wanted to hate him, she truly really wanted to. But how could she ever lose the feeling of loving him despite desperately wanting to hate him?

Melissa: " I love you too. "

Melissa: " I never stopped loving you.. "

Carter wasn't a man of many words, profoundness or exquisiteness was rare. Yet, no one could deny, he hadn't felt so happy as to hear those words in a long time.

Carter: " Same here.. "

And as they linked their hands together, they fell in love once more.

_______________________________________________________

[2 weeks later...]

Tiny: Dad has been living at our house ever since my birthday. He's made quite a bit of awkward attempts to appease me. It's pretty funny actually. And also, every time mom and him are in the same room, they giggle like little schoolgirls. I don't know what they're trying to hide. It's obvious they like each other.

Tiny: Remember how I said in this society, every day is a good day?

Tiny: Well... I guess that still might be true after all.

Tiny: I've gotten used to dad being around the house. As much as I hate to admit it, he's been making quite an effort to us, so I guess I am kinda starting to forgive him. Plus, he makes mom happy, so what else could I ask for?

_____________________________________________

[outside, walking around town]

Tiny: " Jesus Christ, It's hot today. "

Warm rays bathe the citizens of Tiny's town. Tiny on the other hand, sensitive heart, sensitive skin.

Tiny: " Hey Carter, get me a drink. "

Carter: " Sure thing, champ. "

...

Tiny: Dad's been doing whatever I want him to lately. It sure is different from when I was a kid...

Tiny: He would get onto me for things like putting my underwear on my head or trying to roll an armadillo. Now anything goes... and what kind of person would I be if I didn't take advantage of this opportunity?

Carter: " Here's your cold drink, my boy. "

Tiny: Honestly.. all the things he's doing for me lately does make me happy.

Tiny: Maybe I'll smile a bit just this time.

Carter: " People in this town are so friendly ain't they? I was standing in line waiting for the cashier and this lady in front of me just offered me her place in line. "

Tiny: " Oh cool. Yeah.. everyone in this town is suspiciously nice for some reason. "

...

Tiny: " Speaking of, is Criminal City even real? "

Before Tiny could speak again, his father covered his mouth and dragged him into an alley way.

____________________________________________________

Tiny: " What the fuck was that for!? "

Carter: " Okay, I might've freaked out a bit too much, but we can't be too safe."

Carter: I placed my hand on my Tiny's shoulder and looked at him sternly, trying to get my seriousness across.

Carter: " Listen son. That-- that city is VERY real. You must be careful not to talk about this in public. "

Tiny: " But why? "

Tiny: It was then that my dad leaned into my ear and whispered something chilling..

Carter: " Because..."

Carter: " Because, our government is a concept far more fearful than criminals themselves. They're hiding things.. things you wouldn't even imagine because of how smothered you feel, smothered in a constructed version of peace and safety. "

Carter: " Some people live their lives blissfully, unaware of the consequence of freedom. Only those who witness a crime, live their lives unmoving, unspeaking, and obediently. "

Carter: " I'm sure your mother has told you, but you must always behave. And if anything happens to me, I love you son. "

Tiny: " Why would anything happen to you? "

...

And then it happened.