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The Shock Visit
It had been nearly two months since that man rang me and I had to concentrate on the football club. I hadn’t forgotten about it and not a day went by when I didn’t think about him or what he requested. Not a day went by when I didn’t see his phone number sat on my desk in the corner. We had just finished our match against Montpellier and I wasn’t in the best of moods after the way we played. I had fined two of the boys for such a rubbish performance and in reality I could have fined the whole squad.
I decided to pick up the phone and ring the man who was supposed to be my father back. A raspy voice picked up and I could tell straight away things weren’t good. The first time he rang there was nothing wrong with his voice but now it seemed weak, as if he had no energy to talk. Had I waited too long??
“Hello…Dad.” I hesitated. Calling him dad felt weird.
“It’s me, Remi. How are you?”
“Remi??” I heard his voice breaking.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t call me back. I am okay. Not great but getting by son.”
This was breaking my heart. No matter what he had done before, I felt it was time to meet him and let him meet my family and let him learn about my career.
“Dad, I want to see you. I want you to meet my wife and children. Please tell me where to come and we will be there this evening. We will bring some food and have dinner with you.”
“Oh. Oh Remi thank you. I will see you soon.” I took his address down and phoned home to tell the family that we were going out to eat. I hadn’t told my wife about the first phone call but decided to fill her in while we were in the car on the way to meet him.
We got there and a nurse opened the door. She smiled and said that his vital signs had improved ever since I told him that we would be coming to see him. She thanked me for granting him his last wish and led us through to the lounge, where he was sat in his chair, waiting for us.
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He tried to get up to give my kids a hug but he didn’t have the strength. I was scared, shocked and angry all in one moment. I had to put everything aside for his sake and made sure we had a great evening. I told him the path my career took after he left, my time at Lyon and Arsenal as a player and now as a manager. He told me he was proud and had followed ever since he got told I was a professional footballer. I never had a dad to tell me they were proud of me. Even though he ran out on me and my mother nothing could change the fact my father finally said he was proud of me. The evening carried on and we drank and ate to our hearts content. He had presents for my children and we left just after 11pm. He was tired and needed his rest and it had been a draining evening for all the family.
We returned home and the next morning I got a call from the nurse that met us yesterday evening. He had passed away in his sleep peacefully and we were the last people to be with him. I sat down and cried. My wife came in and automatically knew what happened. Nothing needed to be said. She just hugged me and I cancelled training for the day.
Lacazette (13, 37)
Lovren (37)
At least you got to meet him 
