Father's Day
Part One
By: Carrie Verkman
carebear1025@juno.com

John Carter nervously tapped his pencil on the desk in the lounge. He sat there with the phone to his ear, listening to ring after ring. Come on, please be there, he thought. This was the first time in his long twelve-hour shift he had a break and he needed to make an important phone call. Finally the ringing stopped and someone answered the phone. "Carter residence," a woman said.

"Marita? This is John."

"Hello Dr. Carter!" Marita answered happily. She had been the Carter's maid since John was a toddler. "You are doing well, no?"

"I am fine, and please call me John. Is my Dad there?"

"No, I am sorry. He will be gone for another two weeks on a cruise."

John was disappointed. His father was always traveling outside the country and reaching him was impossible. 

"Shall I tell him you called?" asked Marita.

"No, I'll talk to him when he gets back. Thank you." John said.

"Good-bye John."

"Bye." John hung up the phone and let out an exasperated sigh. His attempt at talking to Roland Carter had failed again. He could at least stay in town for Father's Day, John thought.

Just then Luka Kovac entered the lounge. "Oh excuse me, was I interrupting something important?"

"Not anymore." John said, "I tried calling my Dad to wish him a happy Father's Day."

Luka wondered why Americans made such a big deal out of Father's and Mother's Day. "This Father's Day you speak of, it comes every year?"

"Yeah." John answered.

"And you give gifts? Make phone calls?" He asked.

"Yes. It's a day created by Hallmark to boost their greeting card sales. Really, Luka it's pointless if you can't even get a hold of you father." John said. 

"I must get back to work. Good Luck with your father." Luka said leaving the lounge. 

"Thanks." John rubbed his face with his hands. His relationship with his dad was not a close one. And speaking of close, Roland Carter wasn't, he traveled away from his children often. There were so many times John needed his father and he was no where to be found. Sure, Roland was supportive, practically buying John's way into medical school, but he needed support otherwise. Not just money to give John everything he desired. John wanted that strong father-son bond you only see on television.

End of Chapter One