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A couple of days later, I met Gil's daughter, Lorena, at the shelter. She was tall like Gil, and her long braids were twisted up on her head, making a beautiful pattern. From the way she was fidgeting with her phone, she looked nervous.
"Hi, I am Phin Dunbar." I held out my hand for her to shake.
"Nice to meet you, I’m Lorena." She placed her hand in mine and returned my firm shake.
"Thanks for coming. Let's go in." I gestured for us to head inside.
"Your dad isn't here yet, but he should be here soon. Why don't you sit down and wait? You two can have lunch." We sat down at one of the empty tables.
"Are you sure he's okay with me being here?"
"He's a stubborn old man, but I think it will be fine. He's just proud."
She tutted. "I know he's stubborn. He's started calling regularly, but whenever I ask him where he's living, he changes the subject. I'd like him to be a part of my wedding."
"I know, he needs to know it's not going to be an inconvenience.”
"Well, I'll try. I’d also like him to move in after the wedding."
I looked over her shoulder and saw Gil walk in. Gil's smile abruptly went flat when he made eye contact with me. I stood up and gestured for him to come over before he could leave. "Gil, come sit down. Lorena wanted to see you."
Gil stopped at the table, and his smile grew as he looked at his daughter. She stood up and wrapped her arms around him. He gave in and returned the hug. At that point, I knew pride was toast.
She let go and wiped the tears off her face. "Good to see you, Dad."
"You look beautiful, little girl." Gil's own eyes were shiny.
"I'll go get you guys some lunch and let you catch up." After giving them their food, I pretended I needed to work so they could have some private time. Once I finished my lunch in the back room, I went out to find them standing and hugging.
"Silver spoons, get over here." They'd let go, but Gil had his arm around his daughter.
I couldn't avoid his fake wraith now. "What is it, old man? Did you have a nice lunch?"
"Yes, we did. I am going to go stay with my daughter, and I wanted to say thank you."
"Really? I thought you might hit me." We both laughed.
"No, the only beating you will get is in checkers." Gil let go of Lorena and came over to me and wrapped me in a hug.
"Thank you, Phin, this means more than you can know," he whispered.
His daughter wiped away a tear. She hugged me too. "Thank you." She didn't whisper.
"If you aren't coming here anymore, then who will beat me at checkers," I teased him.
"Don't worry, silver; I'll still come over here."
"You could come over for dinner one night," his daughter chimed in.
"Bring your lady too. She's a class act."
"Sounds nice. Good luck, Gil."
"Don't need luck, kid, when you've got family." He smiled and winked at me as he and his daughter walked out of the shelter.
I went home that day with a smile on my face and a spring in my step. After recalling my story to Lizzie, I got a back rub and a blow job. Life was great, and I wouldn’t question it.
