My Father Left Our Family, Claiming That My Mother Spoiled Me. And Just Recently, I Received a Message From Him

The only thing I truly connect with my father are the arguments, the shouting, the chaos. We grew up barely scraping by. Mum worked late into the evenings just to put food on the table, while Dad only ever looked for reasons to pick a fight. One afternoon, we went to the local market in Manchester to buy vegetables. The grocer made a cheeky joke to Mum, and we all laughed. Dad just glared at her with cold, stone-like eyes, saying nothing.

Back at home, it erupted into a proper shouting match. He yelled so loudly that Im sure the neighbours could hear every word. Later, he hit Mum. Things only got worse after that. One day, Dads mate made a remark, jesting that I bore no resemblance whatsoever to him. He said I took after Mum, and there was nothing of Dad in me. I was twelve at the time. Not long after, Dad walked out, claiming Mum had spoiled me.

After that, we barely had anythingeven for supper. Dad never paid a penny in child support. Mum refused to drag him through court, so she shouldered everything alone. She had to take another job. While I studied at school, I did everything I could to get into university. Eventually, I managed to land a job myself.

In the end, I got married and finally started helping Mum, giving her the support she deserved. Then, just recently, I got a message. It was from my father. He wrote that he wanted to reconnect, to start talking again. I honestly dont know what to do. Some friends urge me to meet him, to hear him out. But truthfully, I dont feel much of anything for him. I still remember the moment he abandoned ushes nothing but a stranger now. Theres no warmth in my memories of him. For now, I havent told Mum about it. I remain torn, uncertain what to do next.