Chuckling, I answered, “Dad, I know you’re hoping she’ll be a child prodigy in your beloved game, but you know what happened last time.”
“That wasn’t her fault,” he said, quickly coming to her defense. “She just forgot to yell ‘fore’ is all.”
“Yeah, tell that to the poor caddy that had a goose-egg on his head and a broken toe from diving over the golf cart. Your granddaughter is brilliant, but we haven’t found a sport she’s good in yet.”
He laughed loudly at the memory. “You might be right. Just didn’t want her to give up if she was still interested.”
“Right now all she’s interested in is kintsugi classes ever since Vicky gave us that gift.” My leg started bobbing up and down furiously. The familiar thumping sound did nothing to calm my thoughts.
“Ah, yes. That’s who you wanted to talk about then,” he said knowingly.
“How’d you know that?”
“Might be because I can hear your leg bouncing from here,” he said, his voice colored in amusement.
I instantly stopped, the silence echoing in the office.
“Never could keep anything from you.” My father was not as verbose as my mom, so when he spoke, it usually held weight, and I was always glad to receive his brand of no-nonsense advice.
“Tell me what’s bothering you.”
Giving him the highlights of my interactions with Vicky, leaving some things private, he listened without interruption.
“Hmm. Seems to me you’ve got to make a choice. Do you think there’s a possibility for more with her? And if so, what does that meansince she may not be here permanently?” he asked with no judgment in his tone.
“That’s the thing.I don’t know. I was a bit cavalier with my actions when I saw her last. I don’t want to lead her on, but when I’m with her...it’s hard. I want to honor her commitment to her career. She’s so young, Dad.”
“Eight years isn’t so bad, son. But I don’t have to tell you that you have MJ to consider. I saw the way she looked at Vicky. And rightfully so. She’s a wonderful woman.”
The scene emblazoned in my head of MJ and Vicky together dancing and painting was bittersweet. Vicky’s attention to my daughter, her apparent care for her, was both an answer to prayer and a dangerous possibility. My chest constricted with the thought of MJ losing another woman in her life.
Hanging my head as I spun in my chair, I groaned. “I know, Dad. I know. Someone is bound to get hurt. There’s no assurance she’s staying, and even if she was, I will not be the cause of another woman I care about feeling held back by me.”
Dad was quiet for a few moments, long enough for me to know that he was searching for the right words, and I loved him for it.
Finally, he said, “Let’s set all that aside for a moment, Miles. What does your heart tell you?”
“It tells me that I’ve found a woman I could one day fall for,” I answered with no hesitation.
Dad huffed out a laugh. “That was quick. Listen. I know the damage Katy did to you. But watching you the other night, the way you and Vicky looked at one another, the way she was with MJ. It was good to see you both so happy again.”
“Dad, she’s amazing. She’s smart and funny. We laughallthe time. Talk about everything and anything. And yes, the way she openly loves my daughter…its overwhelming.”
“Maybe give it some more time. But you know my philosophy.”
“Don’t miss the opportunity to say the words. I know.”
Our family had adopted that truth after the loss of my grandparents.
Say the words.
“That’s right. It may not be time yet for you to say the words, may not evenfeelthem for Vicky yet. But if you do, don’t miss the chance. I’ve got to take this call, but you know I’m always here,” he said warmly.
“I know. I love you and thanks.”
“Love you too, son.”
I let our conversation play out in my mind. There was no way I wasfalling in love with Vicky. Not so soon. I knew my track record proved differently, but surely it couldn’t happen twice.
