Page 57 of Finding Parker

“What is the deal with you guys tonight? I feel like I’m eating with a bunch of Parrots,” I glanced at Kenton and turned toward Downes, waiting for some means of response.

Parker turned my direction, “Parrots? We’re not repeating each other. And we’re not acting weird, we’re just having fun, reminiscing about old times.”

I looked across the table at Downes, “Before we ate, you three sat and repeated each and every word, phrase, and sentence the one before you made. When Downes began talking about Kenton’s round of golf at Torrey Pines, it was ridiculous. I heard the word outstanding no less than a dozen times.”

I shifted my gaze toward Parker, “Whatever. Fine. You three dorks keep playing your little game and doing whatever it is you’re doing, but I’m on to you. And if a clown jumps through a doorway or some shit, I’m going to punch it. It’s like waiting for a surprise birthday party you know is coming.”

Kenton jumped from his chair, “Nothing’s coming, nothing at all. Is it Downes? Parker? No surprises here.”

“No sir, Mr. Ward. Nothing at all. No clowns, that’s for sure,” Downes responded.

Parker stood from his chair as soon as Kenton stood from his, “Nothing going on here. And certainly no plans for anything, not at all. Just a simple dinner.”

I looked around the room and shook my head in disbelief and wonder. These three idiots were up to something, and it was apparent. I picked up my wine glass and drank the little remaining wine from the glass.

“Fine, let’s go out on the deck,” I said as I stood from my chair.

“Out on the deck it is,” Kenton snapped.

“To the deck,” Parker smiled and began walking around the corner of the table.

Downes stood without speaking as I rolled my eyes. I imagined stepping out onto the deck and balloons being tied up to each of the chairs, a clown sitting against the handrail making animal shaped balloons at our request as we ate cake and ice cream, drinking root beer through the little curly crazy-straws.

“All I know is this – the next time I’m here, I want things to be back to normal,” I said as I walked past Downes and into the door leading to the main hallway.

Kenton stopped walking and turned to look over his shoulder, “The next time? When shall we gather next? Parker?”

Standing between Kenton and I, Parker looked up, “Pardon?”

“Victoria wants to get together again. When shall we do it?” I’m free tomorrow,” Kenton raised his eyebrows and glared at Parker.

I shook my head and attempted to walk past, “You’re free every day.”

“Point well taken, I am. Parker?” Kenton said as he reached out and wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him.

“Let’s do it again tomorrow. Same time, same dining room?” Parker asked as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Whatever, just be sure you three goons have all of this bullshit out of your system,” I laughed.

Kenton hugged me and half whispered, “I’m sorry, dear. I think we’re all just excited about the sub-par round I shot on the south course at Torey Pines, a lifetime achievement which has been on my bucket list for some time now.”

“That’s fine. And I’m proud of you. Let’s just make sure tomorrow’s an entirely different story,” I sighed.

Kenton took a short shallow breath and smiled, “Oh I’ll make sure of that. Tomorrow will be an entirely different story, mark my words.”

And for some reason, I truly believed him.

VICTORIA. Change is the difference from what it is, or what it would be if it were left alone. In life, oddly enough, the definition of change is not accurate at all. If we leave our lives alone, as they were, we continue to subject ourselves to all types of change. At any moment, life has the capacity to change, good or bad. To believe we have control over where and when these things happen is to believe we control the destiny of our lives.

My life has been a constant reminder that I am not in control, and I must live with the changes, like them or not, as they unfold. So far, I really don’t have any complaints, but at times I sure have hoped I had a little warning to allow me to properly prepare.

“Wow, when I said I didn’t want the same shit all over again, I didn’t think I’d get this. Why all of the somber faces?” I asked as we sat at the table and waited for Karen to finish preparing the meal.

“Just hungry I suppose,” Kenton responded.

Downes nodded.

And Parker attempted to find a comfortable spot in his chair, which for the first thirty minutes of the evening he didn’t succeed doing. Something has been wrong lately, and I was not sure what it was. I realize I have no control over when and why things change, but accepting change isn’t easy for me. Not always.