“Like Stanley,” I chirped. “He was a stranger at first, and yet he was just the person I needed during my identity crisis.”
Dad gave me a knowing look. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, but like you said, Stanley was there. And look how happy you two are.”
“I was so lost during that time. I never expected something good to come out of it all. What a surprise it was when Stanley and I fell in love.”
Dad shrugged. “When your Mom helped me with learning to cook, I could tell how happy she was. After years of us growing apart and seeing her just going through the motions when she was with me, I was grateful to see her change and find a life she loves.”
“But aren’t you jealous? I think you still love her.”
“Love her? I do, but I guess we have separate paths.”
I let out a breath I’d been holding. “It’s strange, but after talking about it, the holidays sound bigger somehow. And if you’re right, it’s a time of the year when there’s more room for all of our feelings, the happy and unhappy ones.”
Dad laughed. “And after the holidays, we get a new year to try out and practice what we learned.”
I sighed. “For me, after the holidays last year, I felt like I had let go of a lot of stuff.” I smiled at my dad. “And, best of all, I had you back in my life.”
“I feel the same way,” Dad said with a warm, affirmative tone in his voice. “Now, is it time to shop and buy some presents?”
I nodded and let myself anticipate finding some treasures on our shopping trip. By the time we arrived and parked in the part of town that’s mostly picturesque, little shops, I was back in touch with my animated kid-self again. That meant lookingthrough shop windows and admiring the assortment of colorful decorations. One window had lights all around the edges and a snowy backdrop. A beautiful, Christmas tree with lots of tinsel, white lights and wooden ornaments sat in the middle of a miniature train display. The tree’s ornaments included rocking horses, jolly Santas, elves holding candy canes, bells, and tiny Christmas trees.
I grabbed Dad’s arm. “We have to go in here. I see so many gift possibilities.”
Dad stared at the old-fashioned train engine. It pulled a half dozen passenger cars as it went round and round on a track. “What do you think? Is little Jackie too young for a train set?”
I gave his arm a tug. “Maybe so, but in a few years—”
Dad nodded. “I’ll check with Mitzi and Jack and ask them what they have in mind for a present.”
I patted my belly. “I don’t care if I have a boy or a girl, but I do know that my child will have a wonderful granddad.”
Dad frowned back. “Do you really mean that? I should have been there for my own kids more of the time.”
“I thought we got that all settled. It was a different time, and you did what you thought best for your family. So did Mom.”
Dad continued to stare at the shop window. “Anyway, I’m glad we have this time together.”
“Then let’s not spoil it by thinking about the past.”
Dad turned to me and frowned. “Glory, you can be so wise. You’re going to be a great mother.”
I hoped he was right. “Will you babysit for our baby too?”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve already learned a lot about babies after being with little Jackie.”
“From what I can tell, Mitzi is a great mom.”
Dad leaned in. “Actually, Jack was the steady one when they had the baby. He said Mitzi was very nervous at first.”
I squinted back at him. “My brother Jack? How would he know anything about taking care of a baby?”
“He took some baby care classes for fathers.”
I had a moment of confusion. I still thought of Jack as my little brother. In truth, he’s six-foot-two inches tall and a very competent lawyer. “I wonder why Jack never said anything about taking classes to me.”
Dad looked away. “I can’t answer that because I don’t know.”
“Geez, maybe he could have said something to Stanley.”
