She sat across from him without waiting for an invitation. “Who’s that in the picture?”
“A couple of friends from the war.” He pointed at one. “Recognize him?”
She squinted at the man’s face and added forty years. “That’s Mr. Moore. I visit him like you asked, Dad. About once a month. He’s doing all right.”
The hint of a smile touched his lips. “I’m glad.”
He took his glasses off and looked at her. Really looked. It was the first time he’d done that in a long time, and it warmed her straight through.
“How are you, Susan?”
Her eyes filled. “Where is he? What’s happening?”
“The Vietcong carried out an unprecedented attack yesterday. They’re calling it the Tet Offensive, and it took the U.S. by surprise. They’re still fighting their way out of it. There’s no way to find out anything about Joey yet.”
He swallowed hard, and she felt a jolt of panic. He was afraid. She had never seen that expression on his face before, and it frightened her as well. Determined to help somehow, she walked around his desk and planted a kiss on his bristled cheek, feeling a terrible ache in her chest. He hadn’t shaved that morning.
“He’ll come home,” she assured them both.
He offered her a sad smile then got back to work. She left him alone and shut the office door behind her.
A few days after the news came about Joey, Tom came to her desk.
“What’s with the long face?”
She let out a huff of air, feeling defeated. She hadn’t meant to speak with Tom about it, since this was a workplace, after all, but he’d asked.
“It’s my dad. He doesn’t want to talk, and I miss him so much. I feel like I don’t even know him anymore.”
Tom lowered himself onto the corner of her desk. “He’s still the same, just keeps to himself more.”
“I know he’s worried about Joey, but what about me? I’m still here, and I need him. He doesn’t even remember that I exist.”
He studied her. “He knows you’re there. Of course he does. Maybe he doesn’t want to talk about it yet. You have to be patient.” The corner of his mouth curled. “I know that’s not your strong suit.”
“I shouldn’t have to be patient. He’s my father. We need to be together around something like this.”
“Sassy, your dad is who he is. He’s done pretty well in most things, you know? He survived the war, he came back and picked up his dad’s business,he raised you after your mom’s passing, and now this. With Joey missing, he’s moved to a new level of pain, and he’s doing his best to survive that as well.”
“But what about me? MaybeIwant help,” she said softly.
“You’re both stubborn. And you’re both tough. One of you will have to bend, and it doesn’t look like it will be him. Maybe try to think of whathemight want, not you. Maybe that will help both of you.”
It was annoying advice, but Tom was right. The trouble was, she didn’t know her father very well these days. She had no idea what he might want. Then it struck her that someone else might. That night after work, she stopped in at Jack’s Variety Store and bought some flowers, then she went to visit her father’s friend in 517.
“Hello, Mrs. Moore. These flowers are for you.”
“Why, thank you, dear. It’s lovely to see you.”
“I’ve been thinking of you and your husband. Are you busy? May I come in?”
The older woman smiled. “Of course, Susan. I just made fresh buns. Would you like one?”
The apartment was a bachelor, barely enough room for the two of them. Basically, it consisted of a sitting area big enough for three chairs with a small table between them, a television on a stand, a tiny kitchen, and a curtain closing off the bedroom section. Every time Sassy visited, she felt guilty for all the space she had in her own apartment.
“Hello, Mr. Moore,” she said as he hobbled into the sitting area on his crutches. He was a slender man, and his eyes were always sad, like a basset hound’s. Pain had etched lines around his mouth.
“Hello, Susan. Very nice to see you,” he said.
