Strangers on the Shore — The Firefly pt.8

“My wife was so flustered so she just made any excuse she could think of.”

“The other mother.. it seemed like she knew something was off. Did your wife ask her more about it?” Oldman asked.

“No. She was flustered, and embarrassed, and I don’t know… She must’ve had mixed feelings. We finally got our curiosity answered but it we weren’t prepared for the answer.” Store Owner hung his head low.

“Why would she be embarrassed! It’s all just rumour and speculations up to that point.” Youngman suddenly worked up after the Store Owner’s remarks. All of us startled and turned at him.

“I mean if your daughter really did got ostracized, then she’s the parent of one of those friends who turned their backs from your daughter. Why would she got embarrassed and cowering? She acted as if the one who did wrong is your daughter when it’s all still dark. She should’ve been stand up for your daughter!” Youngman expressed his thought while trying to holding on his anger and frustration. It seemed like he empathized deeply with Store Owner’s daughter situation.

“I feel the same, to be honest” I spoke up in careful manner, supporting Youngman’s opinion. “Imagine if your daughter were there, she would’ve feel so disappointed and betrayed. You never asked about it properly, but somehow when others talking you quickly assume the one in fault is her. Situation like this would broke her deeply, it was like she did not gain the trust she surely believed she would.”

“It may sound lame, what she did. But I have to say I understand her act, honestly I might do the same when I walk into same situation.” Oldman rebutted our opinion carefully. “I’m not saying this because I have children too, while you two are not. But at some time, it would better for not meddle in children’s business, moreover if it’s regarding conflict. Involving parents in children’s feud would only bring more chaos.”

“I understand. But at least think about her too. What if the her situation is serious and does need adult handling? Do you know many misbehaviour showed by young adults now is mainly because adults didn’t acknowledge their misbehaviour in their teenage years and just thought it as mischief? They didn’t want to intervene thinking it’s nothing.” Youngman desperately pointing out his mind. He did sound desperate as if he understood it by heart.

Store Owner sighed loudly with his head sunken, “I did her wrong..” he said under his breath. Oldman could only offered light pats on his back as a fellow father.

“Ah, we’re sorry. I guess we are too immersed in it.” I caught Store Owner’s long sigh, we were too focused on certain aspect of the story and it did weighed down Store Owner’s mind. Now he might thought what he and his wife did only worsening her daughter’s situation.

“I’m sorry. I’m too worked up, it’s my fault” Youngman apologized shortly.

“It’s okay, you have a point too. We didn’t really think that far. Or we did…? But we were so flustered we couldn’t get it together. Thank you for reminding me of what she might thought”.