“Well, yeah. I mean, everyone is going.”
“Just because everyone goes, doesn’t mean you have to. If you really want to go, I’ll buy you a dress, we’ll do dinner and I’ll go with you if you want.”
“Ha-a-al?” she moaned. He laughed.
“Okay, okay, I get it. Pretty lame, right.”
“Very lame. But I appreciate what you’re trying to do. Maybe it will be different in college?”
“Maybe,” he said smiling at her.
He hadn’t had the opportunity to go to college. He was a blue-collar guy all the way. But his paycheck afforded the cute little place in Brooklyn and enough money in the bank to send her to college. She was also an honor student and had several small scholarships.
His daughter was going to be something special.
“I tell you what,” he grinned. “What do you say we get dressed up, go to that steak place you like off Broadway. We’ll catch a show and then get some cheesecake at that little diner. Just you and me.”
“Really?” she asked looking up at him.
He stared at the big brown eyes filled with tears and his heart was breaking. She was a beautiful young woman. Who cared if she had a few extra pounds on her? She was smart, sweet, loving, and beautiful.
“Really. Just you and me.”
It was the best night of Marnie’s life. She heard other girls talking about what a disappointment prom was for them or that their boyfriends got drunk and left them. She had Hal all to herself and they had a great time. They laughed, talking about what she wanted to do in college, and walked the streets of New York until their feet hurt.
Marnie would remember that night for years to come. When Hal came to watch her graduate from college, he looked terrible. He was thin, his face gaunt, and he was bent over.
“Hal? Hal, what’s wrong?” she asked running toward him.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” he said trying to laugh. “It’s all good, kiddo. I’m so proud of you. You’re going to medical school.”
“I am. But I’m more worried about you. Something is wrong. Tell me,” she pleaded.
“I’m just tired, honey.”
She didn’t believe him but she also couldn’t force him to tell her the truth. A year into medical school, she got the call she had been dreading.
“Hello?”
“Marnie? Honey, it’s Vic. Remember, I work with Hal.”
“Y-yes,” she said quietly. “What’s wrong? Where is Hal?”
“Honey, he died this morning. He was late for work and I went by to see if he was okay. He’s been sick for a while now.”
“He wouldn’t tell me what was wrong!” she cried out.
“He didn’t want anything to stop you from fulfilling your dream. It wouldn’t have mattered, Marnie. He had pancreatic cancer. There was nothing to be done for him.”
“I-I could have spent more time with him,” she cried. “I wanted more time with him. He saved me, Vic. He saved me!”
“I know, sweetie. He loved you so much! In fact, he loved you so much that he planned the whole funeral. It’s paid for, done, and all you have to do is come home. Can you do that?”
“Of course. I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Vic was right. Hal planned the entire thing. The music, the service, the location of his burial, all of it. There was a box waiting for Marnie. It was filled with programs from school plays, report cards, birthday and father’s day cards, and mementos from their famous senior prom date.
It only made her cry more.
