Page 70 of Finding Parker

In the black dress she had carefully chosen, and her blonde hair in a bun, she looked magnificent. Kenton would be proud of her insistence to provide the eulogy. It seemed as she’d been standing there for some time, but in actuality, it had only been a matter of seconds. As I blinked my eyes and looked around the room, she cleared her throat and began to speak.

“Kenton Ward was a man amongst men. He was an unselfish man, and gave far more than he ever took. One day at his home, after the passing of my mother, I stood on the back deck and stared out at the ocean, hoping for some sort of answer as to why she had passed away.”

“As I stared out into the water, a whiff of the beach filled my nostrils. I’ve always looked at natural aromas such as the beach as being a gift from God – his proof to us of his existence. When we attempt to inhale them eagerly, as I often do, they disappear. Well, on this particular day, at least initially, the scent came naturally. As I always seem to do, I inhaled sharply and lost the smell.”

“I stood and continued to stare at the ocean, aggravated for some time, hoping for it to return. It wouldn’t. Angry, I lashed out at my now husband and Kenton, mentally blaming them for my having lost the smell. Standing there with my nostrils filled with the smell of the beach, I had developed a manner of accepting my mother’s death; and I wanted to the scent to return. A confirmation from God, if you will, that everything was going to be okay.”

“Shortly, Kenton must have sensed something was wrong. He could do that, you know. He was a wise man with so much advice and such an ability to provide comfort. He stood to give me a hug, attempting to comfort me. As he held me in his arms, I became filled with a different emotion – one of love and acceptance. You see, Kenton accepted me for all that I am; my strengths and weaknesses, my shortcomings, even my foul mouth. He didn’t care. He loved me none the less.”

“As he held me in his arms, he told me he loved me, and I settled down. In having that conformation of his love, nothing else really mattered. He continued to hold me for an amount of time I can’t even come close to describing. Rocking back and forth on his heels, it was as if he were rocking a baby to sleep. And naturally, the scent returned. In my mind, it was God telling me everything would be alright.”

“I’ve never had a father. Well, I had a father, but he died immediately following my birth. So, from birth to present, I have not had a father in my life. Not until I met Kenton. Recently, after my boyfriend proposed to me, and we were beginning to plan the wedding, I went to Kenton’s home. Kenton and I were standing on the back deck, facing the ocean. It was a common place for us to talk. I had some things I needed to ask him, and I was trying to develop the courage to do so. Prior to asking him, once again, I naturally smelled the beach, and the scent all but immediately vanished. Nervously, I asked if he’d consider giving me away at the wedding. He graciously accepted. It didn’t really surprise me, considering Kenton was Kenton. He was a giver. I had one more question to ask,” she paused as he voice stammered and wiped the tears from her cheek.

“When a man and a woman get married, and the preacher asks who gives this woman to be married?” she paused and wiped her eyes again.

“I wanted to know if Kenton would respond her father. I wanted him to give that to me. To not only give me away, but for one day, my wedding day, to actually become my father.”she paused, bent at the waist, and raised both hands to her face.

After a momentary pause, she stood and lowered her hands to her side, “When I asked him if he’d stand beside me and respond, her father, as if he were my father…I gripped the handrail of the deck, stared out at the ocean, and waited. At the same moment that he responded, the scent of the beach returned. I knew at that moment, I knew – everything was going to be alright. He said yes by the way. You see, Kenton Ward gave me what I have yearned to have for my entire life. Kenton Ward became my father. A father I never had,” she paused and wiped her eyes again.

She sniffed lightly and continued, “Kenton will be missed. By all, I am certain. But for me? For me? Every time the scent of the beach fills my nostrils, and it happens naturally, as if God provided it…I’ll know Kenton has returned,” she paused and wiped the tears with the back of her hand.

As her hands cleared her face, she concluded, “just to stop in and tell his daughter he loves her.”

As I wiped the tears from my eyes, I glanced around the room and watched as everyone else did the same.

After the service, as we were leaving, I saw a familiar face. Standing by the door stood Hec Astur. I hadn’t seen him since the first day I met Kenton. His green eyes glistened as he smiled and extended his hand.

“Downes, Parker, and you must be Victoria,” he said as he gently shook all of our hands.

As he shook Victoria’s hand he smiled, “Hec Astur, pleasure to finally meet you.”

As he released her hand, he nodded his head toward Victoria, “Kenton will be missed for sure. Touching eulogy, I must say. Brought tears to my eyes.”

Hec smiled, “Crying is God’s way of cleansing our souls.”

“So, thank you. I needed it,” he nodded his head once toward Victoria.

“Parker, I need you to stop in and see me. Tomorrow if possible,” he raised his eyebrows and waited for a response.

“Alright. I’ll do that,” I responded.

“You remember where?” he asked.

I nodded.

Hec turned to Victoria and lifted his chin slightly, “Again. Victoria, thank you, it was so very touching. As sure as I’m standing here, Kenton’s looking down you now, proud as a peacock.”

He smiled, and turned away.

“Who was that?” Victoria asked.

“A friend of the family,” Downes quickly responded.

As we turned toward the door, Downes winked. It was nice seeing him slowly return to normal. I’m sure it would take some time for all of us to return to a routine state. Kenton was a powerful man. As we walked toward the B7, Downes turned toward Victoria and me.

“Peach tea on the deck?” Downes asked.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Victoria responded.