[The beggar] Part three

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Part one
Part two
Part three
Part four
Part five
Part six
Behind the scenes!

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Part three

His life is certainly a big change now, compared to his past... He didn't feel things like this before. But he wished to...
'What can I do?' he wondered. Indeed, what could he do different?
When he was younger, his sister moved away, to live on her own. She asked him to come with her, but he wouldn't, he couldn't...
Andrew wanted to stay with his father. He couldn't leave him alone, since their mother died. But his dad was so boring! He couldn't believe it: his father had changed so much. They didn't go out anymore, and all he did at home was either stare into the screen of the television set, or go fishing. He always asked Andrew to join him, but it was too early - six in the morning. Andrew wasn't the early type, so they made a deal: his dad was supposed to pick a spot by the lake, set up everything, and he would join him at nine o'clock sharp.
But Andrew didn't like fishing, but he loved his father very much. 'At least this way I spend time with him. And he is a better company...' Somehow, he could see his father live, and the face he'd show when they got a "big one" was memorable: it was like the grain of hope that kept his dad alive. Why was he like this? Why couldn't he move on? Was mom so much for him that he couldn't live a life now? There were so many questions Andrew hadn't the answers for. But he tried, desperately asking his father every few days, to no avail. All he could get was 'but I'm living, son. Look, I'm here with you, I'm happy. Trust me, I'm alright.' And what could he reply to that? How can a son declare to his father that he's lying to himself? So he capitulated.
Andrew was a very loving person. He had a lot to give and few to give it to... He aspired to become a guide, of some sort - the idea of working closely with people, trying to arouse their interest and telling them stories seemed to enlighten his spirit. Besides, that way he could meet people, too.
He felt wrong for this world, in most ways... he hadn't found how nor where to express himself freely. 'What is freedom, actually?' he thought. He didn't feel free, although he wasn't restrained from anything, in any manner. If he could at least find someone to share his ideas with, that would make things better! Until then, he decided to read, ant think. Even during the times he spent with his father, he did so. He later thought he could become a teacher. But, aside from his sister, he didn't have that much experience of working with people.
After classes, they went to Lilith's place to do their homework. He helped her in literature and math, and she helped him in foreign languages and biology. They loved working together. Lilith always asked him to come live with her. She had a job, she could pay all the rent. But he refused.
'At least I don't wanna leave my father alone. I'm concerned for him...'
She sympathized, but she didn't feel the same. She thought people should always go on with their lives, or at least not live alone, not when the world was so big, and open to everybody. Andrew was her best friend, and the most wonderful brother she could ask for, so she respected his decision.
'I'll get a job and move in with you, in a couple of years. You have my word.'
And then they turned eighteen. And he met this girl, in the park, and brought her to Lilith's place.
Somehow Andrew seemed to lighten up. He seemed to be more excited, enthusiastic. Lilith thought he was in love.
'Are you?' she dared to ask one day.
'I don't know. How can you tell? My life is different since she's been along, it's true, but I don't know what else... What makes love... love?'
And then they paused.
'I don't know either. I guess it's when the world changes with you, somehow. I've only read about it...'
So they did not know what love was. But Andrew could feel Susan's warm heart. He knew even before she'd tell him that she was a loving person. He didn't know what he was feeling, but he hoped it was what he thought. He wanted it to be...

They were in his sister's apartment. After Susan told him the story about her life, Andrew told her his own. His father was a tram driver, just like hers. Wasn't that a strange coincidence? Maybe his father could know hers, and maybe he could know more about the accident. After all, it was in the area where they both worked that the accident took place, even on a tram line. 'Do you have a picture of your dad?' he asked.
'Sure. Why?'
'Maybe my father could know him. I don't know what good that will do, but it's worth a shot, isn't it?'
'Of course', she said hopingly, 'Why not?'
'I'll ask him tomorrow.'
His heart poundered. 'Listen... if he tells me anything useful, would you like to talk about it over some tea and biscuits in Stanley's place?'
'I'd like that, really. Thanks, you've done so much for me...', she didn't know what more to say. She hoped he didn't see her soft trembling. 'Could he feel something for me too?'
'Maybe she'd be more relaxed if we went somewhere.' he thought. He also was shaking, so he quickly sat on the couch...

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TO BE CONTINUED...

What do you think about this part of [The beggar]?
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	A different answer: good opinion.
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