My dad’s not really my father.
 |
| Image: All Rights Reserved |
| London: Puffin |
| 2006 |
“My dad’s not really my father,” Jake announced to Stella. His heart was flipping madly against the inside of his chest. He’d never told a soul before. It was like a secret that he’d carried around all his life, and took out sometimes when he was alone to examine and have a think about.
They were sitting on the garden wall, picking cherries off the old cherry tree in Stella’s back garden and putting them in an enamel bowl.
“So?” Jake asked anxiously.
“I’m just thinking about it, Jake,” Stella said. “It’s…” – she swallowed – “interesting.”
“I mean, he is my dad of course; I’ve always called him that. But not my father. My real father disappeared years ago. I never knew him. He just left. My mother says he didn’t like babies. That was me, the baby, only there was only one of me, of course, but one was one too many. It was nothing personal, my mum says. Just babies in general drove him mad.”
“That explains why you don’t look remotely like him, I suppose, your dad,” she said eventually. “Not that I ever thought about it before, but now you mention it, you don’t. Look like him, I mean.”
Jake’s heart wasn’t flipping so wildly now, but it was still going faster than usual. It seemed to fill his chest cavity.
“Well, of course I don’t. I’ve just told you. He’s not my father.”
“Of course you don’t,” Stella repeated dutifully. “How could you? Unless it’s like dogs and their owners. But it’s not, is it?”
“So that’s it, then?” Jake said. “That’s all you’ve got to say?” He didn’t know what he’d expected, but he’d thought there’d be more of a reaction than this.
She squinched up her face, in that way she had, and said nothing for a moment. Jake guessed she was thinking.
“Well,” she said at last, “I suppose you get to have two fathers, so.”
That had never occurred to Jake before. Two fathers. One more than most people. Two more than some people.
Was this necessarily a good thing?
Extract from the book Something Invisible
by Siobhán Parkinson
All Rights Reserved.
London: Puffin, 2006.
Call Number: J PAR
Extract contributed by Elizabeth Lee San Bao
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How would you cope if you had more than one father in your life? Do you think people would think differently of you if you had two fathers?
June 14th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Well, people will always have lots of things to say regardless of the issues at hand.
To me, it does not make any difference because I have 2 fathers and 2 mothers.
What we have to do is to respect all of them as our parents and treat them as we wish to be treated. No matter what, they are our parents, biologically or not. What they may or may not have done does not matters, because at the end of the day, its what we do to and for them that matters.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
To me, only the father who takes up the job to take care of you can be considered a father. How can the one who only contributes to giving birth to you but leaving you all alone to struggle in life, be considered a “father”?
People may see you differently, thinking that you’re not a filial child. It does not matter, cause after all, they’re not the one undergoing through it, as long as you’re clear conscience.
I believe, those who respects me then deserves my respect.
July 1st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
If I had two fathers, I would really want to find out which of the two is my biological father. I could not imagine if both of my fathers were staying with me under the same roof and asking me to do many different things at a time. I really would not know who to obey.
I think that people will not look differently at me as it will not make any difference to me. Even if they think differently of me, I would not really care about what they say as I already have two fathers and nothing that they say can change anything anymore. It is okay to me as long as they treat me well. If one of my friends also have two fathers, I would not think differently of her.
July 1st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
If I really had more than one father, I would feel like it is the end of the world for me. I would spend the rest of my life trying to figure out which one is my biological father. I cannot imagine how life would be fo me if I had two fathers.I wonder what would happen if they wanted me to do two dfferent things. Who should I obey? For me, I cannot cope with it.
I think that people will not think of me differently as it does not make a difference.I am still the same person. Even if they do, it will not matter to me because I do not really care about what other people think of me.I suppose my friends will also want to know who is my biological father. As long as both of them treat me like a princess, I am happy with it.
July 1st, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I think that if I really had another father in my
life,it will not matter to me as I know that my father is loves me a lot, even more than himself.
Even if I had another father,I doubt he loves me more than my father loves me.
Most probably a few would.Although if I really had two fathers,I think if people view me differently when I have two fathers, they are people who do not care about me at all.I am who I am and even if I had two fathers, to me I will only have one dad and I should not bother myself over what others think and say of me just because I have two fathers.
July 1st, 2010 at 1:26 pm
If I had two fathers, I would only acknowledge one that is responsible of the family. Why? Well,if one is lazy and does not work, he is not helping my family but making my family even worse as my mother will have to work even harder then usual. However,if one is responsible,he will work hard for my family and my mother can stay at home to rest.In reality, my father is the irresponsible one.He does not work and his debts are all paid by my mother who works for long hours and when I went to my friends house for a project,I found that I do not have a father. I gave him a call to ask him to fetch me home, he said no and hang the phone immediately. He called my mother and scolded her as he thought that my mother asked me to call him.I hated him actually but sometimes, I really pity him.
If I really cannot choose between my two fathers, I hope my friends would still be my friends and not ignore me because I am an “abnormal” child. If you think of it the other way, if they put themseves in my shoes, would they what such things to happen to them? Would they want to be abandoned by those around them?
July 1st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
If I had more than one father, I may not like him as much as my biological father. However, I would definitely respect and obey him. I would certainly forgive which one of my parents has done wrong. As the saying goes “forgive and forget”. I would always love my biological parents as besides God, they were the ones that brought me into earth.
Hopefully, others would not think differently of me if I had two fathers. As we have to accept people for whom they are. I think it would be very rude if we do not respect others. However, I would not think differently of others.
Overall, I hope that after people read the book, they would not think differently of others and respect one another’s feelings.
July 1st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
If I had more than 1 father, I would want to know more about my biological father. Even though I do not know him very well, I still love him as he, my mother and god were the ones who made me and brought me to the world. If it is his fault, I would forgive him. As the saying goes,” To err is human, to forgive is divine.
Those that are not my biological fathers, I would listen to them and be an obedient child. I should also respect them as they are also trying very hard to shower me with their love. Being a father is not an easy job, he has to balance their work and family. He finds time to accompany his family. They have difficulties and I should be concerned.
Others would think differently as I have more than 1 father. I would be mocked but I preserver and ignore them. Overall, reading this book teaches me how to care, love and concerned one another.
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:39 am
One father or two fathers, I would be happy I even have one. Fathers are the one ( two people) person in your life whom you can tell anything to. The poeple who love you, how affection towards you and always understands whatever you have to say but some fathers believe in beating and constent scolding. Even then deep down in their heart, you are the one person whom he loves the most and if anything happens to you, he will be the first one crying. Whatever they do, they do for our own good. I love my father. He always believes in talking it out with me. He believes that beating a child, will make him or her afraid of the child and even if he scolds me, he apologises to me. I always feel so emotional when he says sorry to me. It proves the amount of love and affection he has towards me. Even with two fathers, I would love and respect both of them. Of course I would like to find out about my biological father but I would love both of them equally. Whatever people say, they should learn to accept and respect. That’s all I have to say for now.
July 4th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
It depends on you,yourself.You can choose to respect your parents,whether they are your biological or not.Respect them still.They take care of you.Even with two fathers,love and respect them and love them equally,All from the bottom of your heart.
Love and Respect one another.
July 6th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Having two fathers is Great. You get more love, more presents, more money and more of everything.
July 6th, 2010 at 10:06 am
If one day I found out that I have two fathers, I would definitely be more appreciative of my biological father because without him, I would not be around. However, I will remember to respect them and love them both, because I know they both love me. Personally, I think I have two fathers – my biological father, and God. As I am a Christian, God is my saviour and he also cares for me.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I would stick to my real father, the one that had me out of my mother. I would not ignore my other father, but I would not talk to him that much.
Some of my much closer friends would not think bad of me because they know me and I know them better than anyone else.But I don’t know about my normal friends.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:12 am
If i found out that I had two fathers, I would be incredibly shocked. Not only did you think that the father who has been there all along was not your real father, but you had another father that was not there all along.
I would be hurt and confused of what was going on. Personally, i have actually read a book similar to this one called Child X. The main character faces a problem when her real father was actually her uncle. But when the truth was out, the father that was there all along still loved the girl.
Even though you have two fathers, you still have someone that loves you as much anyone you could imagine. I would be grateful even if i only had one parent.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:14 am
i will feel odd as i have to call two people dad and feel disgusted.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:15 am
I don’t really care about what others say about me that i have two fathers instead of one father.
It is good to have two fathers as i can get more father love..
July 7th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I will defininately get angry with the one who is my biological father.I dont even think he is fit to be my father as if he really is my father,why did he not want me?And let someone else father me?
July 7th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I already have two fathers so i dont mind people saying about me…
July 7th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Fathers are kind, fathers are like your guardian angels who protect you and care for you.But if I knew that I had two fathers,I would not be able to accept the fact.My heart would be filled will anger, hatred.I would be hoping that this was a dream and not reality.Sadness however, is what will feel that I am kept in the dark for so long and not know my biological father.
Deep in my heart, I knew there was a reason.In my opinion, I will still feel blessed that I still have a father rather than not have one.
Well, I will think that my friends will not think differently of me if they are my true friends.
July 10th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
If I have 2 fathers, I would not bother to look for my biological father.Why? Because he does not want me anymore.Why should I look for im when I have a father that cares for me already.
July 13th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
If i had two fathers, i would want to find out who is my biological father.I would be very angry when i have two fathers ask me to do things for them. And sometimes ,they might ask me who i like most or who do you thing your mother likes most.
Even though they might not be our parents but we must still respect them.I also thank God that he had blessed me with good parents.And some people out there may have two fathers if i were them i know that someone loves and cares for me.
No, i don’t think people would think of me differently if i had two fathers.If a friend of mine has two fathers i would not think of her differently too.After all we should be greatful for what we have.
July 17th, 2010 at 11:32 am
you might not like him as he is not your biological father you would question yourself why my father does not want me but want other people to be my father?
Chelsea Wang
5Gentleness
Paya Lebar Methodist Girl’s School (Primary)
July 19th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I would love them both the same. Although I would prefer to be closer to my biological father, i would still love both of them as much as the love me. -Jin =3
July 19th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I dont know what to say. If i found out i had more than one father, i would stay away from the family for a while. it would take me a bit of time before i adjust to my new family. i would only share the news with my good friends and if the news spreads, i think other students will think differently of me. i woulnt like the fact that the students will ask personal questions such as – who do you love more? in my opibnion, i think the students should comfort the girl/boy and not tease them.though, i will still love both of them as each of them would have played a part in my life.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I will feel very looked down upon as I have two fathers. I think that people will think differently of me because I have two fathers. If they want me, they might even go to court just for the custody of me. But, the good thing is that I can have more toys, maybe even DS or PSP. BUt it is even normal to have one father only. I do not hopr to have two fathers.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I’ll run away from home and find somewhere where no one will disturb or annoy me. Then I’ll think through what just happened and I’ll retu8rn home after that and claim everything my first father owed me from my second father. I won’t really love my second father though. It’s hard to love someone that’s not your biological father.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
i think having two fathers is awesome:D … they might have different jobs that can help me. during my birthday, i can also recieve another present and maybe having two fathers might be great as they can protect me XD .
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I think that having two fathers is going to be really fun!
But, If i were you, i would choose the father which had me out of my mother as he is my real father.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I think having two fathers is a fortune because you get more”ang paos” during Chinese New Year and have more presents during my birthday!!!
That is goin’ to be so cool! But one thing is that i would have less time with my mom than with my two dads.And when i need my mother the most, she won’t always be there. Instead, my dads would be there.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I think that having two fathers is going to be really fun!
But, If i were you, i would choose the father which is the real father, but i would still love the other father as well !
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I think I would not be able to cope if I knew I had two fathers. One man would be like an outsider to me and I would have to know which one was my biological father. I would be very confused and I would have to grow up first before doing a DNA Test to find out who exactly is my real father. I also might run away from home because my mother might fight with them at home everyday and I might be too stressed. In my opinion I think that we all should have only one father and one mother for us to love equally, though I do not have the right to prevent myself from having two completely different fathers. We also cannot love one father and neglect the other maybe because he is wealthy and generous. We should love each father equally as God made us in the image of himself.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I would want to know why my biological father did not like babies as normally childs in the family is the one who bring joy.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I prefer not to have two fathers as I do not know who to obey.There maybe be arguements at home and made me feel uneasy.Staying with two fathers in a roof also makes me feel very akward.It also makes me confused who is my biological father. However, having two fathers I will received more love.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I would like to have only one father because I would not know which insturction to listen and if they fight I would not know what to do.It make me feel very bad and very angry.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
If i had more than one father, i would be delighted, as i might have more attention, presents and even a little more ice cream!Even though life might get a little complicated and boths dads might not agree to the same thing, life would also get a little more exciting.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I think that having two fathers are fine as there is nothing to comment or laugh about.Having two fathers have disadvantages and advantages.Imaging having two fathers you can get more presents on your birthday and you can go more places on school holiday.If I had to fathers I would want to know which is my biological father.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
If I knew I had two fathers,I be shocked and upset.I do not want to have two fathers although there might be advantages,but if both of them are poor then I might have more disadvantages than advantages.So,I rather have one father than two.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
The advantages of having two fathers are father 1 can bring me go disneyland,father 2 can bring me to taiwan,if father 1 and 2 are rich can go anywhere,can be fetch to school by two different car and can buy alot of things.
The disadvantages of having two fathers are must move here move here move there and next time grow up must take care of two fathers.
so,I rather have one father.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
If i had two fathers, I would want to be with the father that brings me joy.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I think that having two father is a good and a bad thing. The good thing about having two fathers is that we could gain love from both fathers. The bad thing abput having two fathers is that I would not know who my biological father is and I will be unable to choose my favourite father. However, one day, I would eventually choose the best father. Meaning: the time that my fathers spend with me, the love that my father gives me.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
i think that having two fathers would be fun as they could take me to different countries and places . i do not think that other people would look down and laugh at me as there is nothing wrong with having to fathers!(:
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
If I had two fathers, i will share my time with both of them and love them with all my heart as much as they love me. I will not bother waht my friends tell me as i love my fathers.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
If i had two fathers,i will really want to know which father loves me for who i really am,and what i do.If i had two fathers, i would spend my time with them.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
If i had two father’s, I would ask myself everyday, which was the real one?
Although, if I did have two father’s, I guess it would be quiet cool. There would be a whole lot of advantages. Some like;
When i was younger, I might have had more toys to play with too.
But, where there are advantages there are also disadvantages;
I would be very spolit.
Well, even if i had two fathers in this world, I wouldnt mind. Because, I know that they both love me very much and I would love them back just as much too.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
If I had 2 fathers there will be many advantages and disadvantages to me. But first I would like to know where my biological father is and how does he look like. I also would like to know if I have more relatives other than the ones I already know.1 thing that I don’t like is that if i’m the smallest I would get pushed around.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:10 pm
If I had two fathers, there will be advantages and disadvantages. Among 1 of the advantages that I can think of that is the best is that if I have 2 fathers, I will be able to get whatever I want.
But…although that is good, there is always at least a worst diadvantage which I can ever think of is that I will be looked down upon. Because of these advantages and disadvantages that I can ever think of, I will still choose a father who is good to me and also a father who does not make me a so called `spoiled brat`.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I have many good and bad advantages of having two fathers. The good advantages about having two fathers is that on my birthday, I can receive many birthday presents. I can also go more places in other country more than those people who have one father. Whenever I need or want anything, I can ask my father to buy for me. The disadvantages of having two fathers is that when the first father ask me to go to his house to stay on Monday and the second father also wants me to stay in his house on Monday. It would be very complicated. If I need help, I would not know which father to talk to. Two fathers would also quarrel because of me.
July 23rd, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Well,if ii have two fathers, there will be a lot of advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is that i would have more presents on my birthday. A disadvantage is that i would not know who to obey. Having two fathers at a same house could cause alot of troubles. At the end of the day, the father that i would love more would be the one that cares for me and loves me more. Sometimes, i would wonder which is my biological father.
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
If I had two fathers , the advantages is that I can recieve more presents when it is my birthday .I can go anywhere I want to .They can buy for me anything I want .I will have more money to spend at recess .When I have any difficult problems ,I have aditional person to turn to .They can fetch me to school everyday if i am very tired and they could also play sports with me if I want to .But if I had two fathers , the disadvantages is that I will have more tutions ,to shift around ,and have different ways of lifestyles.My friends will think that I am very fortunate ,rich and lucky because I have two fathers that can help me in any way .
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
If I had 2 fathers,i would have to shift up and down.Although there would be more advantages and even more disadvantages,I think Iwould still be able to cope. Ican receive more presents on my birthday and more red packets on Chinese New Year every year.Iwould have more advantages of going out rather than staying at home.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
If I have two fathers , I would want to find out who my biological father is. Of course, having two fathers have advantages and disadvantages. Maybe if I have two fathers , I would not like the other father , but I think that I should respect them.
July 24th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I think that having two fathers would be a good thing as my June holidays would be fully mapped out for me and during Christmas I would have a lot Christmas presents. The disadvantages are that I have to move to different houses everyday and both fathers fight over me.
July 24th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Having two fathers are fine as it is nothing funny off.If I had two afthers I would not know who to obey.If I obey both of they,I would have many things to do at once.If I had two fathers I can go much more places than having one father.
July 24th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
If I had two fathers, there would be advantages and disadvantages.Advantages:I would have one more present when it is my birthday and I get to go overseas more often.Disadvantages:It would be very troublesome to go from one house to another.There would be lots of rules to obey.(My biological father would love me more than my other father.)
July 24th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
If I were jack, I will be very confused.I will go to who I think is the most wise and ask him or her to help me to solve my problem.
July 24th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
If I had two fathers I would be showered with love but I got to obey more rules. Sometimes,I might find myself different from others. Because I have two fathers and every child has only one mother and one father.
July 24th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
There would be advantages and disadvantages. Advantages:I would get more presents when it is my birthday and christmas.I get to go overseas and disneyland more often.Disadvantages:It would be very troublesome to move from one house to another. I would really want to know who is my biological father as I it is very shocking to have two fathers in the house. I would not know who to obey, father A or father B. I know one thing for sure, my biological father loves me more.
July 25th, 2010 at 11:18 am
If i would to have two fathers,i would want to know which of the two fathers is my biological father.
I find having two fathers is not a bad thing,because the family will be more crowded.
I like to have more people in the family as it can give me joy!
July 25th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I feel that having two fathers are fine. But, I would really want to find out which of the two is my real biological father. I could not imagine how it would be like if both fathers are staying with me under the same roof. There are advantages and disadvantages having two fathers.
The advantages are:
I will be showered with more love, blessed with more joy and family members.
The disadvantages are:
I will have to obey more rules and i will get nagged a lot.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
If I had two fathers of course I would love my biological father more as he loves me. Although we are all the same in the eyes of God, I would still love my biological father more even if he is wealthy or not, loving or not. No matter what we still must remember that God loves each and every one of us equal. I would probably love my not biological father too but not as much as I love the other father. But we ought to love both fathers and be grateful to them for raising us up and letting us have double the advantages. Of course there are more disadvantages too but they are too much to list out. For now I would still love my biological father more as I know we are related by blood and there is a saying: “Blood is thicker than Water.”
July 25th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
If i had more than two father’s,i could maybe go overseas more often and have more love and more presents but it will be very troublesome for me if the father’s live in separate houses and i have to move to a father’s house to another father’s house everyday. Not only that i would also be very curious which of the two is my biological father. Personally i think that others will not think differently about me as i am still the same even though i have more then one father.
July 25th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I would be trying to find out which of the two is my biologial father.I think that haing two fathers would be quite cool as i would be able to have what i want and my June and December holidays would be fully mapped out for me. I do not think that others would think of me differently as i would still be the same person. I would love both my fathers ery much.
July 26th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
If I had two fathers, I would treat them the same even though one is not my biological father. I do not think that others would think of me from a different point of view but I would still be the same person from the start. I don’t think that people would gossip about me because having two fathers is not as if its against the law.
July 26th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
If I had two fathers, I would not know who is my biological father. However, if I had two fathers, I can receive more presents on my birthday.Some disadvantages of having two fathers is that I will have to move to different houses and it would waste alot of time.
July 26th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I would think which father is better and in what ways.I would think why would my mother would want to cheat on my father(if that is the case).
July 26th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
I would think which father is better and in what ways.I would think why would my mother would want to create adultry on my father or why my mother hate my father so much that she have to create adultry on him(if that is the case).
July 28th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
If I have two fathers, I would want to know who is my biological father. Anyway we have had already twp fathers, it is your own father and god.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:38 am
If i had two father i would be haPPy as there is more love towards me.And would not care.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
if i had 2 father i would want my biological father becoz ur biological father will show u more luv then ur step-father.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
if i have 2 fathers,i will want to choose my bological father bcoz people want 2 have their biological father n not the step-father
July 29th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
if i have two fathers i will be very desperate to find out which is my biological father. Even thought if it takes me a very long time to figure out i will perserve all the way. If I am unable to find out which is my biological father, I will take them both as my father as the “fake” father has taken care of me, I will feel very hard to abandon the “fake” father who has been taking care of me for many years. i will love them both equally as my father.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
If I have two fathers, i should show my respect towards them as they are also trying very hard to shower me with their love. Being a father is not an easy job as he has to balance between work and his family. During times of difficulties I should be concerned and help them with all i can.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I would ignore my step-father to get rid of him so that my family will be united again but if my mum really love my step-father more than my father, I will respect her decision.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
If i have 2 fathers, i would rather choose my biological father as i love and care or my dad.If my step-father want to take care off me, i would not listen as i dont know what he will do to me
July 29th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
if i have two fathers,I would treat them equally well as they took time to take good care for me. if none of them take care of me, there wont be such thing as father’s love.as what the bible says[honour your father and mother and blood is thicker than water!!!!!!]
SO TOUCHING!!!!!!!!
July 29th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
If i have 2 father i would choose the real father as he is the one who really care about me i would hate my step father as he is the one who broke up my family so i would hate him
July 31st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Having two dads might be cool and during my birthday i might get an extra present.