After setting a cutting board with fresh bread and a knife between us, he sits and slices the bread.
“No, I guess you’re not. But I feel guilty about leaving. Who will you watch your cooking shows with you if I’m not here?”
“You don’t think I have friends or…more than friends?” My dad wiggles his eyebrows, but my jaw falls open.
“What!? Are you seeing someone?”
He shakes his head as he dips a slice of bread into the stew. “No. But there’s always a potential, right? But we’re talking about you, not me.”
“Rhett asked me to move in with him.” Dad nods like I just told him we’re expecting snow tonight, and I roll my eyes at how dense I am. “I was worried you’d be alone, and I guess I wanted to make sure you’re okay if I move out.”
He chews his mouthful, then bumps our shoulders together.
“If we need each other, we’ll be there for one another, right? Like, if I break a leg, you’d come help me?”
“Of course I would. That’s not even a question.”
“And if you felt you needed me, you know you’re welcome here anytime?”
“Yes, of course, Dad.”
“I’m your father. I love you, but you also have a life to live, Diamond. I want you to find your person, and I think Rhett might be the one. You’ve never been so happy. I’d never take that away from you. I want you to live and thrive.”
We eat in silence for a minute, and I study my dad. He’s still his laid-back self, loving his food and just happy to be existing. He’s right, though. I’m an adult, and he’s healthy enough to be on his own. He’s not even sixty, but in my head, I slotted himinto a needy-parent space when clearly it should’ve been me in the needy-child box.
I knew he wouldn’t be mad at me for leaving, but I needed to be sure he wouldn’t be lonely or sad. I could never let my dad be sad. Not after everything he held my hand through.
“Thanks, Dad. I guess…I’ll miss this.”
“You can always come for supper. We’re in the same town.” He slices another piece of bread. “Yes, I’ll miss you, but I’m so happy for you, son. I like Rhett, and it’s time for you to start your own life. Like, a real life and family.”
How I even considered this to be a hard conversation, I’ll never know.
I launch into telling him about the house and talking about Rhett so much, it should be nauseating, but my dad hangs on every word. He smiles and laughs and asks questions about everything from Tater to how much light the kitchen gets. It’s these moments of just us like this that I’ll miss after I move, but I know I’ll be here often enough to make up for it.
“Rhett said he wants to have a housewarming party in the fall. You’ll come right?”
“Of course I will!” He leans back in his chair, and his eyes shine with unshed tears. “I’m really fucking happy you resent the memo to that man,andthat he finally clued in to what a prize you are.”
“Me too, Dad. You want me to stay tonight? Maybe watch a new episode of Kitchen Disasters?”
Dad shakes his head with a smile. “No. Another time, son. Go home to Rhett. He needs you more than I do right now. He’s probably pacing the floor, worried that you changed your mind.”
“He might be.” I laugh and help Dad clean up the kitchen. He walks me to the door, and we hug for a long time while I fight back more tears.
“Thank you for everything, Dad. I love you.”
“I love you too, son. Always. There’s no need to thank me, but I appreciate it.”
My dad watches from the doorway, waving as I pull out. I thought I’d feel heavier leaving the home I’ve shared with my dad for so many years, but it’s like I’m light as a feather. I replaced the guilt of moving out with the hope I’d boxed away years ago.
The future is bright, and I’m in love with an incredible man who loves me back.
It’s time to live again.
“Jesus, Diamond, it’s August. Do we need to have thirty fucking throw blankets in the living room?”
Rhett’s scowl is deep as he throws one of my favourite blankets onto another chair with an angry huff.
