Sunshine Valley

Dad talk

     Evie was at her dad’s house fixin’ lunch after she picked him up from church. He sat at the table watching her as she buzzed around the kitchen. “You remind me of your mother.” He said softly. 

     “Dad, I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.”

     “I know you and Lily didn’t see eye to eye.” He said with a smile. “Could an old man ask you sum-um?”

     She smiled, “my dad can ask me anything.”

     “Did you invite that boy for lunch?”

     Evie laughed, “I can’t believe that after all these years, you still call him boy.”

     “I was rootin’ for you 2 you know. But Lily fought me ever step. Dillon has grown into a fine man. He’s kind, strong, good heart.”

     “Let’s say we would have gotten married at 18 or 19, would he have been the same man that you are so proud of?”

     Jack smiled, “better. He loves you.”

     “He is my friend.”

     “Sit child.” She sat across the table from him. “He has been mopin’ ‘round here for the last 40 years. Women have tried to get close to him,” Jack shook his head. “None were you.”

     “Dad,” she sighed. 

     “Has he given you the envelope full of letters?”

     That question shook her for a minute, “recently yes.”

     “Tell me why keep them?”

    “Too lazy to throw them away? Forgot about them.”

     “When I brought Teka home, he volunteered to keep her.”

     “I’ve been wanting to ask you about that. How did you get her?”

     “I overheard your ex talkin’ at the last meet you went to. Thought it was a joint decision, way he talked. Little did I know then, it wasn’t.”

     “Thanks dad.” She smiled. “Yes, I did invite him to lunch. But he hasn’t answered me.”

     “Trust me, hummin’ bird, he loves you.”

     While her dad ate, she thought about the letters and the kiss. Oh my, even though it was a light kiss, it was consuming her thoughts. 

     Her dad brought her back around, “go marry that boy.”

     She gave a heavy sigh, “dad it’s not that simple.”

     “Yes it is, hummin’ bird.”

Sunshine Valley