AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I kiss her cheek. “Let me take a quick shower, and we’ll play some games. What did Mrs. Harrison plan to cook for dinner?”
“She already made it. Lasagna.”
“Hmm. Yummy. I’ll be back shortly.”
“All right, Dad.” She returns to her chair and continues watching the Disney Channel.
I hurry to my bedroom to clean up and change into a T-shirt and slacks. The stimulating shower I had with Giselle back in Washington flashes through my mind as my eyes fall on a small portrait of Gwen. A strange sense of guilt consumes me, as if I betrayed her memory. Hastily, I look away. Gwen wouldn’t mind me having a relationship with Giselle. On her deathbed, she told me not to mourn her for too long and carry on with my life. But moving on sure feels awkward.
“All set,” I say when I get back to the living room. “How was school today? Tell me all about it.”
She tells me how a frog was let loose in a science class and caused pandemonium in the entire school, with girls screaming and running around.
“You should have been there, Dad. It was hilarious.” She laughs heartily.
“Were you scared?”
“Not really. I found the entire thing funny.”
“That’s my girl.”
“How was Washington?”
I merely shrug and avoid her gaze. “Fine, I guess.”
“Mrs. Jones said we’ll be going on a field trip there next year to visit the White House.”
“That will be amazing for you girls. It will be your first time away from home for a night. Or maybe even two. You must be excited.”
“Did you see the White House?”
“Yes. From afar, though.” Yearning to change the topic, I nod toward the piano stationed at a side of the living room.
“How about you show me what you are working on right now?
“Sure, Dad.”
We settle ourselves on the stool before the piano, and she takes the lead in playing the upper voice of Schumann’sAlbum for the Young. I join her with the lower voice. After that, we playClementis Sonatinas.
She claps with joy when we finish, which she usually does when I play for her . . . and when I used to play for her mom. I swallow thickly as I remember how Gwen sat curled up with Ashlyn, listening to the piano.
Gosh, I miss my wife! Even after five years, it feels as if I lost her yesterday.
“Dad?”
I blink rapidly before rising to do my usual ritual of bowing and forcing a smile on my face. Telling her I was thinking of her mom would only put a dent in her happy mood.
“I beat Mrs. Harrison in chess yesterday.”
I grin. “That’s my girl! Let’s see if you can replicate it with me.”
Her eyes widen a little. “Challenge accepted!”
I make a cross across my chest. “I promise to take it easy on you.”
She laughs. “Me too.”
Thirty minutes later, I nod with pride. She has indeed improved. I taught her how to play as a coping mechanism when we lost Gwen, and it brought us even closer together.
