Page 38 of Finding Parker

“Tell her how you feel, and include her in all of your tomorrows, Parker. If you’re able, that is. She fits you,” he stood from his chair and began to step toward me.

Naturally, I stood from my seat as he stood. As I did, he extended his hand in my direction. Confused, I reached for his hand. As he took my hand in his and shook it, he smiled a smile of tremendous pride.

“Parker, I’m proud to call you a friend. You’re one of few I can say this to. In a short period of time I’ve come to really care for you, son. I really have,” he said as he shook my hand.

“Likewise,” I nodded.

As I spoke, I got a feeling in my throat as if I wasn’t going to be able to continue to speak if I tried. Emotion seemed to fill me as I stood with his hand in mine. Having Kenton treat me in the manner he did wasn’t something I expected when I agreed to be in his employ. He truly acted as if he cared about me. His advice to me was heartfelt and well thought out. He had yet to offer me shallow meaningless advice, for which I was grateful. His statement of being friends and calling me son, however, was a little more than I expected. I realized he didn’t intend for me to receive the son remark in the manner in which I did, but for now it filled me with an unfamiliar warmth – warmth I am now certain I have yearned for a lifetime to feel.

As I released his hand, I noticed Downes walking into the room.

“Miss Victoria is ready, gentlemen,” he said with a tone of authority.

“Victoria, Damnit. I heard that. I’m not Miss anything. I’m Victoria, you big goof,” I heard her scream from the kitchen.

Downes widened his eyes and smiled as he turned around and began to walk through the doorway. Kenton and I stood simultaneously and started walking in his direction. As we followed him into the kitchen, I watched as Victoria placed the fourth plate onto the table.

“Hurry, before it gets cold. Pan sautéed filet mignon with caramel-brandy mushroom sauce, what appeared to be some fairly fresh green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes. I threw the salad together with vinaigrette, so no choice on dressing, fellas. Come on, let’s get to it,” she said as she pulled a chair away from the table and stood beside it.

“Sit down, you big fucking brute,” she motioned toward Downes as she spoke.

Downes chuckled and turned toward Kenton as if waiting for approval to sit.

“Sit down, Downes. This is her show,” Kenton laughed as he walked around the table, looking down at the food placed carefully on the plates before him.

“You know,” Kenton said as he sat at the bench beside Downes.

“I bought this table at Downes’ recommendation. I really liked the look of it,” he paused and traced his hand along the top of the table.

“But I don’t think I’ve sat down here for one meal yet,” he turned toward Victoria and smiled.

The table was very large and rectangular in shape. The top was constructed of an oiled butcher block approximately four inches thick. The outer legs were held together by a rustic steel rod with a turnbuckle in the center. On one side was a leather covered wooden bench, and on the other, large wooden chairs with leather seats. It was very fitting for the stainless steel and wooden theme of Kenton’s kitchen.

“Well, although I love to cook, and I’ve memorized about every recipe I’ve ever read, this is the first time I’ve actually cooked a meal for a group of people. My mother doesn’t really eat, so I primarily cook for myself. So, if it helps, this concept is new for both of us. Come on, let’s eat,” she said as she sat down beside me.

“It’s almost as if we’re a family,” I said as I looked across the table toward Kenton.

As I spoke, Victoria reached over and squeezed my hand lightly in hers. I realized as she held my hand she probably felt the same way I did. Her living a life of solitude with her sick mother prevented her from being able to enjoy the things most people take for granted. A straightforward meal with friends to her and I was something much more.

“I hate to muddy the waters, but if I sit at the table to eat, I have to say a simple prayer. It’s a requirement of sorts, I guess. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything like this, so I’ll make it brief,” Kenton said as he looked down at his plate and clasped his hands together.

I squeezed Victoria’s hand lightly in mine as I closed my eyes.

“Lord. Please bless this food we are about to partake of so it may strengthen and nourish our bodies, allowing us to serve you further. I thank you, Lord for placing these people in my life, people who are far more than friends, Lord. Lord, we sit before you tonight and ask that you bless this food as a family, one which I am truly grateful you’ve blessed me with. And we ask these things in your name, Amen.”

I opened my eyes.

A family.

Although I was touched deeply by Kenton’s rather poignant prayer, I became concerned Victoria may view what he said about being a family as somewhat pretentious. My entire body filled with emotion, I turned to face her, hoping for some form of assurance she was comfortable with everything Kenton said. As I did, she rotated to her left, leaned into me, and rested her face on my shoulder. As she turned her head to look up into my eyes, she smiled.

“I think I’m falling in love with you, Parker. Now eat, before it gets cold,” she whispered.

Incapable of speaking, I simply stared and smiled.

These opposites literally require each other to form a component in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts.

She truly was the yin to my yang.