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“You’ve never really dated.” It wasn’t a question.
He glances my way. “No, not much. For the longest time, I was busy raising six daughters and working. The last thing I had time for was dating.”
“You should, you know. You’re a very handsome man, father,” I tell my dad with a smile. His hair is graying much quicker than it used to, but his green eyes still sparkle bright and his smile is warm and friendly.
Dad chuckles and glances my way. “Well, thank you, daughter.”
We sit there silently for a few moments before I continue. “We would all be okay with it, you know. I mean, we don’t all sit around and talk about it, but I think we all want the same thing: for you to be happy.”
“I am happy, sweetheart. I have a beautiful family that seems to be growing in leaps and bounds lately. I do enjoy friends on occasion, and that does include lady friends.”
“Wow, more than one? Dad, you’re a playboy!”
That makes him laugh. “No, never more than one at a time. I don’t think I could handle any more than that in my old age.”
“You’re not old, Dad.”
“No, but I’m getting older.”
“You know, I was talking to my friend Cindy from book club. We met for coffee and had a nice chat. She’s a widow too and shared some of her thoughts with me. She’s super sweet and would make a great dinner companion, you know, if you’re ever looking,” I add with a shrug.
“My own daughter trying to set me up? How did I get so lucky,” he says, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close.
“No, how did we get so lucky to have you for our dad?” I ask, giving him another kiss.
“Thank you, sweet girl. And for the record, I’m very happy that you’re going to dinner with this young man tonight. I know it’ll be difficult for you. I know it may feel a bit like cheating, but the thing to remember is that Josh would want you happy and to move forward. You know it, and I know it.” He gives me that look that makes tears well up in my eyes. If anyone knows that for a fact, it would be my dad. After all, he was in that emergency room with me when I talked to Josh for the final time.
Nodding, I set my head on his shoulder and just enjoy the moment. Memories of my childhood come flooding back, as I used to do this exact same thing when I was younger. Especially after Mom died and I needed to feel comfort and be close to my remaining living parent. “I miss him so much, Daddy.”
“I know, baby girl. I know.” He lets me cry on his shoulder for a few minutes until the tears no longer come.
Before I can wipe away the remnants of the shed tears, a shadow falls over us. “Oh, look, Orvie! Our Meggy Pie is here!” Grandma bellows, clapping her hands victoriously.
“I see, Emmie. There’s nothing wrong with my vision,” Grandpa says, adjusting his glasses.
“What brings you home on this Saturday afternoon?” Grandma asks, walking over to Grandpa and goosing his behind on her way by.
“Behave, naughty girl,” Grandpa coos, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. The entire display makes my stomach churn and bile catch in my throat.
“I thought I’d come see Dad.”
“Oh, I enjoy that myself,” Grandpa adds.
“Hanging out with Dad?” I ask, glancing toward the older man who slightly resembles my sisters and me.
“No. Coming.” Grandma cracks up laughing at her husband’s comment.
“Jesus, see what I have to deal with here?” Dad mumbles quietly beside me. “It’s like living in a brothel.”
I crack up as my dad rubs his temples.
“Have you seen Payters lately? I bought her a book and wanted to drop it off. Maybe I’ll go to the shop Monday,” Grandma says.
“Not in the last few days, but I’m sure she’d love a visit in the middle of her workday from her grandma.” She’ll hate it, actually, but serves her right for sending Grandma to my house a few weeks ago to talk about vibrators. Apparently, my sweet oldest sister told my dearest grandma that mine was broken. Grandma came racing right over with three new models to choose from.
And test.
She offered to let me test them out and report back on my findings.
