Scars of his father

Chapter 8 THE NIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR

Selma jolted awake when his father first hit the gate again like a man knocking on a door that already belonged to someone else, he sat up instantly on his bed.

The room was dark except for the faint glow of the streetlight slipping through the curtain, then he heard his voice again calling “Matilde”. Selma stood up slowly, barefoot against the floor, and moved toward the hallway.

The house was too quiet, except for the knocking and he reached the front door but didn’t open it. Instead, he listened and a few minutes outside, rain had just started falling. It started soft at first then heavier, Rafael knocked again and this time weaker.

“Open the door”

Selma’s hand hovered near the lock but something stopped him, the sound of Matilde’s voice came from the bedroom.

“Go back to where you are coming from!”

Selma froze, his chest tightened instantly. Rafael went silent for a second and then a low laugh escaped him, just something broken slipping out.

Selma pressed his forehead lightly against the door, he could hear his father breathing outside heavy and unsteady, the rain was getting worse now.

“Matilde” Rafael called again, his voice cracked slightly “Please”.

Then Matilde spoke again, louder this time “I said go away!” Selma flinched, Selma's heart tightened, his father wasn’t leaving but he was just standing there waiting.

Selma could imagine him perfectly now. Soaked clothes, bent shoulders, alcohol on his breath and hope that refused to die.

Another knock came, “Selma” Rafael called suddenly. Selma’s eyes widened and his father knew he was there, Selma stepped back from the door slightly.

Rafael’s voice lowered, “I know you can hear me.” Selma’s throat tightened painfully outside, rain poured harder “Don’t open it,” Matilde snapped from inside.

Selma didn’t move, another knock came “Just tell her,” Rafael whispered. “Tell her I’m outside.” Selma closed his eyes, his fists clenched and his whole body shook slightly.

Matilde’s voice cut through again, “I said don’t open that door!” Selma flinched again. Rafael stopped knocking and for a moment, everything went still.

Even though the rain sounded quieter, Selma pressed his palm against the door, his lips parted slightly “Dad” he whispered but the word didn’t leave the room.

Outside, Rafael exhaled heavily, Selma heard it, then came the sound of something sliding a body lowering slowly against the gate and Selma’s breath caught.

“Rafael!” Matilde shouted from inside the room. “Stop that nonsense!” but Rafael didn’t respond. Selma’s chest tightened painfully.

He turned towards the bedroom door, “Open it,” he whispered and no response, “Open it!” he said louder. Matilde finally appeared in the hallway, hair messy, face irritated.

“What is wrong with you?” Selma pointed at the door, “He’s outside.” “I know.” “He’s wet.” Matilde replied “So?” Selma stared at her confused.

“Open the door,” he repeated. Matilde folded her arms, “No.” Selma’s breathing became uneven. “He’s your husband.” Matilde laughed softly.

“A husband is not a prisoner.” Selma felt something cold spread inside his chest. “Then what is he?”

Matilde looked at him directly, “Someone who should know when he is not wanted.” Outside, Rafael coughed weakly and Selma flinched.

“Please,” Selma whispered and Matilde sighed “Go back to bed.”

Selma didn’t move, the knocking didn’t come again, only rain and harder now. Selma stepped toward the door again.

“Dad!” he called, No answer he pressed his ear to the door but it was too much silence and Selma’s hands shook, he turned to Matilde.

“Something is wrong.” Matilde rolled her eyes “He is drunk.”

Selma shook his head quickly, “No he stopped answering.” Matilde paused slightly just a flicker, then shrugged “He will sleep there.” Selma stared at her.

His voice dropped, “It’s raining.” Matilde walked away. “Then he will get wet.” Selma stood frozen, his chest felt like it was collapsing inward.

Slowly, he turned back to the door and then he unlocked it, the cold air rushed in instantly, rain hit his face. He stepped outside barefoot, the gate was slightly open.

Water poured down the metal surface. Selma walked slowly, each step heavier than the last. “Dad?” he called softly but no answer.

He reached the gate, Rafael was there sitting on the ground leaning against the metal bars, head tilted slightly forward, eyes closed and Selma’s heart dropped instantly.

“Dad” He rushed forward and grabbed his arm and he was too cold. “Dad, wake up!” Rafael’s body swayed slightly but didn’t respond.

Selma’s hands trembled violently now “Dad please.” He shook him harder, rain washed over both of them Selma’s voice cracked.

“Wake up!”

Rafael’s head tilted slightly, then slowly a weak breath escaped him and Selma froze, Relief and fear collided inside him at once.

“Dad” Rafael’s eyes opened slightly, he looked at Selma and smiled faintly like it was nothing like everything was fine “Ah” he whispered. “You came.”

Selma’s lips trembled. “You’re freezing.” Rafael shook his head slightly “I’m fine.” Selma’s voice broke “No, you’re not.”

Rafael tried to lift his hand but it fell halfway and Selma grabbed him immediately “Let’s go inside.” Rafael didn’t resist but he didn’t stand either.

Selma struggled slightly, pulling him up with both arms and finally Rafael rose unsteadily, Selma held him tightly Step by step, they moved toward the door.

Inside the house, Matilde’s voice echoed faintly “Don’t make noise.” Selma stopped, rain dripping from his face, his father beside him barely standing.

Selma looked at the door, then at his father and he said something that changed everything inside him “She doesn’t want you.”

Rafael didn’t respond, Selma’s voice lowered. “Then I do.” And for the first time that night, Rafael leaned fully on his son.