It was a long day from work. With the shift being over my patient Dutch, I decided to use the elevator instead of using the stairs because of how mentally exhausted I am today. Climbing those steps up and down all these days had taken its toll on me, so I thought it would be best to take advantage of the lift.
As the elevator reached the public main lobby with its announcer blaring the arrival of the next floor, I exited the elevator with nothing but my white laboratory coat draped around my shoulders, making my way to the opened doors. There were fewer people moving about, likely how late it was already.
The evening sunlight made its time already known from the outside, casting through the windows with its warm glow onto the white walls and ceiling. Some doctors and nurses are still walking about with their heads down, probably tired after a hard day’s work.
Cannot blame them, some here have been working since early morning till late at night. We have no choice though, people need work or else we will be out of jobs. That is the reality of this world. It is either we accept it or leave the city altogether. Although, that does not imply there are any other places where we could go to if the opportunity arises.
I sighed as I made my way towards the exit, leaving behind my anxious thoughts and worries for now, until another day comes when I am able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Leaving the building, I went back to my father’s car, waiting patiently for him to arrive before I decided to take the buss.
My dad arrived shortly after leaving the building’s entrance doors, occupied by Richard and Claire who were discussing something. The duo were chatting happily about something while looking around in awe and excitement like they were children.
After minute of speaking amongst themselves, Richard and Claire parted their ways to their opposite sides of the parking lot, giving each other a polite nod of respect before heading inside their respective vehicles. Doctor Sol aka my father, after saying his goodbyes with the duo, spun in motion on his shoes, ready to head home himself but stopped when he noticed me casually standing and laying on my back at our parked vehicle.
“Hey Adam!” My father loudly greeted me with a casual tone from afar, approaching towards me while I was sitting up straight with my back on the car’s door as I watched him approach. “How have you been doing?” He asked, sounding concerned.
I gave an exasperated sigh, “It has been fine, I guess. I had to deal with some paperwork in my office, but my cilent’s psychology condition had been cured from his delusions,” I answered with a monotone and tired voice while looking at the ground, bored out of my mind from the conversation that was going nowhere fast.
My father nodded along, seemingly satisfied with my answer, “That is great son. How about we talk while we drive home? It would be nice to catch up.” He said as he opened the passenger door next to the driver’s seat, waiting patiently to see if I was ready to get in or not.
“Alright Dad, let us go then,” I answered with a forced smile, getting into the car and sliding over next to my father, taking a seat next to him while he got into his side. After I sat down, Sol turned the engine on as he put the key in the ignition, starting it up.
The motor then started, sighing once again at how cold and snow it always was this time of year, leaving me feeling depressed for no reason whatsoever. “You appear so tense lately Adam,” My father said, noticing my constant sighing. “Is something bothering you?” He continued to ask, but there was not much else that I could say.
What exactly can I say? That I do not like my work or anything? Truthfully, I chose this job because I wanted to work with him. If anything, working in this city is a requirement for one to survive or else, I would be homeless and starving on the streets without any source of income or food.
“It is just that…” I looked at my side window, staring at the memorizing, never-ending snow, “I am just tired dad,” I finished with a dull tone, turning towards my father who had a concerned face. He nods along, understanding what I meant by saying so. After all, we have been through some rough times together when I was adopted by him as child.
Dad drove the car into the streets, turning left onto the main road leading out of town while looking around for pedestrians or other cars to avoid hitting them. As he did, I looked back outside from my window, watching the scenery pass by and seeing the many buildings on either side of the street, each one more than three stories tall with their own unique architectural designs. They were also made of different materials such as wood, concrete and even glass. The roads are smooth and straight with the occasional turns that led us to our destination.
Impressive to say that living metropolis like New York City is capable of functioning in a post-apocalypse frosty and snowing world with no changes of sessions, just endless winter that never ends. It was just a wonder how this city survived after the earth had planetary global cooling because of man’s negligence and greed.
“You know, it is quite amazing,” Dad started off, “how the whole world can come to an end, but humanity will still find ways to live, thrive and survive from harsh conditions like this,” he added as we turned right onto a wide boulevard leading into the heart of the downtown area of Manhattan, which was always bustling with people and vehicles of all kinds.
Quite amazing, huh. The same goes for other animals, they too found ways of surviving from the natural disaster called climate change, although not in the same way as humans. Humans adapt themselves better to their environment from their sentience and cognitive thinking, while the animals rely on instincts rather than rational thought process.
Although, I still refuse to believe that humans have any worth in this world, especially their responsibility for destroying this planet that gave them everything. As we drove along, Dad and I were both lost in deep thoughts about the future of the human race. It was then that my father suddenly spoke up again, breaking the silence between us.
“Do you still consider me as your father, even if I am mutant?” His voice sounded so serious and solemn, causing me to stop staring outside the window and look at him straight in the eyes as he drove. “I understand why you might fear me,” he continued on, “but do you still love me despite many people despise my kind and want nothing more than to see our extinction?”
It took a moment for me to respond, because what he said made sense to some extent. After all, the world views mutants as imperfect humans or hideous abominations of nature, who are responsible for everything wrong with this world. Even though I could not bring myself to say anything out loud, the answer is yes. My dad is my father and I love him dearly.
“Of course I love you dad, you helped me grow up and become a better man,” I replied softly as we turned left onto a narrow street that led us down towards the waterfront district of Manhattan where the pier was. “You have been there for me every step of the way since I can remember. And regardless of how society views you for being mutant, you will always be my real father.”
Dad smiled back at me, giving me a soft few pats on my left shoulder, glancing over at me with a warm smile. “Thank you Adam, it means the world to me from hearing those words from your lips,” he replied before taking a right turn onto another street leading away from the downtown area. The buildings were tall and elegant in style with many windows overlooking the busy streets below as we continued driving through the city.
“Can I ask you something dad?” I gently asked, gazing out of the window while looking up into the clear orange sky above us. It was cold outside, but I could feel the last sun’s rays warming up my skin.
He looked at me with concern and worry on his face again, “What is it son?” he said as he slowed down the car so we do not get too close to the sidewalk traffic, “did I say something wrong?”
No, definitely not that!
“No way, I was merely wondering about something else,” I answered back in a flustered tone, “I know how some of the human patients and visitors show racism towards you just because you are a mutant. But why must you help them even though they are so rude and hateful towards you? You have been there for me all my life, yet you never once complained or showed any sign of displeasure at them.”
“It is simply because I can,” he responded in an indifferent manner, “humans and mutants are equally imperfect creatures. We both have our own flaws that need to be corrected. It does not matter what race we come from as long as we strive together and work hard, we will eventually find peace and harmony within ourselves,” Sol’s optimism appeared to melt away with every word he spoke, “but this world has gone astray due to the ignorance and selfishness of man who believe themselves superior over others. That is where their problem lies and I am here to correct it one by one…”
“By killing them with kindness,” I finished on his behalf, “it does not make sense. Why not kick them off if they cause you trouble? Kindness and compassion are good, and all but at the end of the day; we don’t deserve these ungrateful people. They should thank us for everything that we do, and some of them choose to ignore it?”
Sol sighed as he looked out through the window, seeing other cars driving past while listening to the faint sounds of traffic, “Adam, my son. I know how concerned you must be for me, how some of the human patients and even staff have been treating me selfishly behind the scenes, and I also agree with your thoughts. However, I must them as mutant that I am capable of doing so much more than what any normal human could ever achieve.”
“But dad,” I said back in a low voice, “you have already done enough to help these assholes. You are one of the best psychiatrists I have met. You are such an amazing person, and yet they still treat you like shit!” I angrily spouted, “I do not get it! What makes them think that they can talk to you with disrespect just because you are a mutant?”
He shook his head slowly, “It is because of their own ignorance and fear of the unknown. Let them learn and they will grow out of it son, you will see soon enough,” he reassured me, “they would eventually realize the truth once they become mature enough to understand. But until then… I must continue treating them like any patient that came to my office. After all, I do not want to lose my license and career in this industry.”
“So what? Why did you decide to come work here anyway, dad?” I asked, “You could easily find another job anywhere else with your experience.”
Dad shook his head, “I am sorry but that mental asylum would have become more problematic by abusive staff if I had not gained their attention. It is a good thing that these bad staff are targeting me instead of the other patients, or else they would be in danger too,” he explained.
My heart sank as I looked out through the window, seeing many cars passing us while listening to the faint sounds of traffic. Dad continued, “in the end, I am merely trying to help them become better people for their own benefit, not mine,” he explained with a heavy tone, “as long as they do not realize this fact, they will eventually find the light at the end of the tunnel when they mature into responsible individuals.”
I sighed, “but why didn’t you say anything to them? They should know how much effort you put in helping them.”
“That is precisely the problem, son. Telling them would break the truth and intention, which might cause them to return back to their destructive habits,” he replied, “and then it would lead to numerous problems from their perspective.”
I nodded, understanding him well, “yeah…but I hope that you will not die or anything; that worries me the most,” I said with concern, “you are my real and true father, one of the best in the world. So please take care of yourself okay?”
Dad smiled sadly, “of course, I will always do whatever is necessary to protect you and everyone around me,” he reassured, “just take it easy son and live your life like there is no tomorrow because we only have one shot at this. There isn’t any point in living if you cannot enjoy what you can get.”
