The Apostate
By George Milburn, first published in The New Yorker
In an epistolary-like work, a father must choose between a job he loves and his relationship with his son.
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Plot Summary
A father named Hubert tells his fellow work buddy, Harry, that he is quitting his position at the Rotary, which is an organization of businesspeople who help people in need. Harry had just recently asked Hubert about why he is slacking off in his job and Hubert explains that he's going to leave his job and to not tell the others about it. Hubert explains that his job at the Rotary has always been something he's been proud of. However, a year ago, he went to go visit his son, Hubert Jr., in college to watch a football game. Hubert Jr. is in his second year of college and Hubert is excited that his son is getting a college degree. Hubert also explains that many parents don't have good relationships with their children, but that he wants to have a good relationship with Hubert Jr. The day Hubert and his wife go to visit their son, they go to a gas station and call him. Hubert Jr. explains that his father needs to remove the Rotary pin that he often wears because the members of his fraternity don't like the Rotary. Hubert Jr. also explains that the fellow fraternity members made fun of him for having a father in the Rotary. At first, Hubert is confused and tells his son that he wears the pin with pride. Hubert Jr. explains that he is very proud of his father's accomplishments, but that he wants to remain in good spirits with his fraternity members. The family goes to visit Hubert's fraternity house and watches a football game together. When Hubert Jr. comes home for summer vacation, he is very much against his father's work at the Rotary, which Hubert attributes to the other fraternity members. Hubert and his son are constantly arguing with each other and Hubert realizes that he has to choose between his job at the Rotary and a relationship with his son. He thinks of the songs he used to sing at the Rotary and how much he loved his position. However, Hubert chooses a relationship with his son over this position and then quits. Hubert goes to visit his son more often now and becomes closer with his son. After spending time with his son, Hubert realizes that the fraternity has good values and that those in the fraternity actually have great potential in being the builders of future generations.
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