Sunshine Valley

Father daughter

     Jack bundled up against the cold as he and Evie walked around Sunshine Valley. The mad dash that has became Christmas was over. Most folks had returned 80% of their gifts or had stored them to be regifted. A light snow was falling, most folks were snuggled in their houses. 

     He held onto Evie’s arm a little tighter. “I started doing this when I moved closer to town.” The smile on his face was one of contentment. “The decorations seem prettier to me after all the fuss is over. They seem to glow brighter, hummin’ bird.”

     “Thanks for sharin’ this with me dad.”

     “I know the reason isn’t pretty,” he patted her hand. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

     As they strolled, she thought, ‘I am too? Am I glad to be home?’ So far, there really wasn’t anything to miss. Other than her old church family. Talking to them just wasn’t the same as being submersed in their love. But she was adjusting. Right? Workin’ with The Peel’s to get Hillbilly Yoga off the ground was fillin’ hours. And of course, her job. Simon was probably upset that she took to carin’ for Teka twice a month. That was eatin’ into his pocket. It filled a hole in her life. She smiled, and of course Dillon. But the way the man worked, gee whiz. She was reluctant to ask him to do stuff, he needed rest more an anything. But, he could always say no, right? He was a grown man. 

     “I don’t know what I was expecten’, some aspects have been really hard. Others, joyous.” He squeezed her arm a little tighter. 

“Dad?” She thought about how to phrase her question. “Dillon is a very sweet man, why didn’t he marry? Have a family?”

     “Oh hummin’ bird, none of them wur you. You are the woman he judged all women by.”

     “That’s not fair to anyone. I’m not the end all and be all of anything.”

     “Look at it from his point of view, when he was hurtin’, where did he run?”

     “To you and mom.”

     “I think it might have started that way. But it all boiled down to you. God gave me the kindest soul in heaven as a daughter.”

     “Thanks dad. There are times,” she trailed off. “That sets me up for all kinds of failure.” She squealed. 

     Jack stopped, then turned to face her. “You put too much pressure on both of you. He already loves you. That battle is won. Your mother and I had our share of struggles. At the end of the day, our love for each other made all the struggles seem small.”

     “If he’s been waitin’ all his life for me, he’s gonna be so disappointed.”

    Jack’s heart froze. “Why hummin’ bird?”

    “I’m just a person. Flawed. Has he put me on some kind of pedestal to fall off of and crush us both?”

     “I don’t see that. Dillon was so lost as a boy and a young man. He had to find himself. If he had turned out like his parents, no one would have blamed him. But he rose above. First, he lost you.” He sighed, “we both did. He got a job that made him grow. Losing both parents to the devil,” Jack grunted. “But you’re back. Where, as a parent, I feel you belong. Selfish, I know.”

     Evie’s head was running away from her. This was too much information. She remembered the ‘he’s been moppin’ ‘round here for 40 years’ comment. But she thought her dad was teasing. Though she’s never known him to be a jokester. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Dillon. 

     Her dad cut through her thought’s. Have you ever wondered why I never remarried? Your mom’s been gone,” he paused thinking. Then finally settled on, “awhile now.”

     “I figured she was ‘the one’.”

     “I figure, you are that person for Dillon.”

     “The path hasn’t been easy but you are home for a reason. Perhaps God knows you both are ready for each other.”

Sunshine Valley