hug.
What I don't miss are these damn hook-ups Daddy
keeps setting up. Opening my eyes from prayer, I find Samson's
unwavering stare back on me. I glance over at Daddy to see that
mischievous glint in his eyes that he passed down to Joey.
Son of a - that old
codger is playing games with me, trying to force my hand. As I pass
the potatoes, I wonder if I should call his bluff and ask Samson
out to a movie. I smile sweetly across the table at Samson with a
wink, he smiles back, and Daddy chokes a bit on his
lemonade.
Dinner is filled with discussions about what
I've missed, how the community continues to change and grow, and
plans for the Spring. Samson, it turns out, it there mostly to
discuss a field trip for the choir to go sing and raise funds in
Lafayette. Ruth, one of the best sopranos in the choir, is excited
about the idea, and keeps dropping hints at me that the choir could
use a strong alto.
It's been so long, I don't think I could carry a
tune, much less make a joyful noise with clapping and praising the
Lord like they do. Samson also seems keen on the idea and keeps
asking when I'm moving down here to live closer to the family. I
have to kick Joseph under the table a couple times to stop him from
grinning like a damn fool.
Samson leaves with a promise to stop by before I
leave, perhaps even to see about a lunch date, and I kindly smile
before glaring at Daddy's chuckling as the poor man drives away.
"Daddy-"
"Don't give me no grief, princess," he says as
he settles down into his old, orange-plaid Lazy-boy. "You earned
that one for missing Christmas, and if he comes callin', you'll
take him to lunch. Good man, Samson - just lonely since his Erma
rejoined God's country last year."
"He's old ," I huff as I flop down into the couch
next to him.
"I aint sayin' marry the man," Daddy chuckles.
"He needs company and someone to talk to, more than anything. A
friend. You can be a friend, can't you, girl?"
I know arguing is a mute point. He's got me
right where he wants me - squirming and backed into a corner. "Yes,
sir."
Michael ushers Ruth through the living room, a
tired toddler in his arms. "We best get on home 'fore Jonah wakes
up."
"Lord, please let him sleep a whole night
through," Ruth mutters. "Happy New Year," she yawns. I don't think
any of us are going to be staying up until midnight. "See y'all
Sunday."
After they leave, Daddy calls towards the
kitchen. "Tabitha! You leave them dishes for Joseph so he can learn
not to be late to supper."
"Yes, sir," Tabitha calls back, but the sounds
of clinking dishes and running water continues for a few moments
longer before being replaced by her voice giving Joseph
instructions on proper scrubbing methods.
After Tabi and Jerry leave,
I'm alone with Daddy as Joey starts in on the remaining dishes.
Daddy pulls out his ' sinful temptation' , his tobacco pipe, and lights it. The familiar
vanilla-tinged aroma takes me back to days past, filling my heart
with comforting warmth. It feels like this could be the opportunity
I've needed to muster my courage and have an honest conversation
with him.
As I open my mouth, my phone vibrates against my
hip. It's Saul, begging me to call him when I can. My gut tells me
to call him sooner than later. Maybe before I talk to my dad about
my relationships, I should figure out just where those
relationships stand.
Tucking my phone away, I let the silence settle
in. I need this peace, this moment of reflection before I jump off
the point of no return. I need to be back where it's just me and my
daddy, and there aint nothing that can come between us.
But I can't ignore the reality of my life
forever. I love my daddy, but I can't forsake Saul and Austin for
the sake of his approval. Although I'm soothed to be back in his
presence, it truly hits home how much I miss my boys.
I wish I could share them with my family. I wish
I could share my family with them. I wish...
'Nothing ever comes from just wishing, princess.
Wish upon that star,
What I don't miss are these damn hook-ups Daddy
keeps setting up. Opening my eyes from prayer, I find Samson's
unwavering stare back on me. I glance over at Daddy to see that
mischievous glint in his eyes that he passed down to Joey.
Son of a - that old
codger is playing games with me, trying to force my hand. As I pass
the potatoes, I wonder if I should call his bluff and ask Samson
out to a movie. I smile sweetly across the table at Samson with a
wink, he smiles back, and Daddy chokes a bit on his
lemonade.
Dinner is filled with discussions about what
I've missed, how the community continues to change and grow, and
plans for the Spring. Samson, it turns out, it there mostly to
discuss a field trip for the choir to go sing and raise funds in
Lafayette. Ruth, one of the best sopranos in the choir, is excited
about the idea, and keeps dropping hints at me that the choir could
use a strong alto.
It's been so long, I don't think I could carry a
tune, much less make a joyful noise with clapping and praising the
Lord like they do. Samson also seems keen on the idea and keeps
asking when I'm moving down here to live closer to the family. I
have to kick Joseph under the table a couple times to stop him from
grinning like a damn fool.
Samson leaves with a promise to stop by before I
leave, perhaps even to see about a lunch date, and I kindly smile
before glaring at Daddy's chuckling as the poor man drives away.
"Daddy-"
"Don't give me no grief, princess," he says as
he settles down into his old, orange-plaid Lazy-boy. "You earned
that one for missing Christmas, and if he comes callin', you'll
take him to lunch. Good man, Samson - just lonely since his Erma
rejoined God's country last year."
"He's old ," I huff as I flop down into the couch
next to him.
"I aint sayin' marry the man," Daddy chuckles.
"He needs company and someone to talk to, more than anything. A
friend. You can be a friend, can't you, girl?"
I know arguing is a mute point. He's got me
right where he wants me - squirming and backed into a corner. "Yes,
sir."
Michael ushers Ruth through the living room, a
tired toddler in his arms. "We best get on home 'fore Jonah wakes
up."
"Lord, please let him sleep a whole night
through," Ruth mutters. "Happy New Year," she yawns. I don't think
any of us are going to be staying up until midnight. "See y'all
Sunday."
After they leave, Daddy calls towards the
kitchen. "Tabitha! You leave them dishes for Joseph so he can learn
not to be late to supper."
"Yes, sir," Tabitha calls back, but the sounds
of clinking dishes and running water continues for a few moments
longer before being replaced by her voice giving Joseph
instructions on proper scrubbing methods.
After Tabi and Jerry leave,
I'm alone with Daddy as Joey starts in on the remaining dishes.
Daddy pulls out his ' sinful temptation' , his tobacco pipe, and lights it. The familiar
vanilla-tinged aroma takes me back to days past, filling my heart
with comforting warmth. It feels like this could be the opportunity
I've needed to muster my courage and have an honest conversation
with him.
As I open my mouth, my phone vibrates against my
hip. It's Saul, begging me to call him when I can. My gut tells me
to call him sooner than later. Maybe before I talk to my dad about
my relationships, I should figure out just where those
relationships stand.
Tucking my phone away, I let the silence settle
in. I need this peace, this moment of reflection before I jump off
the point of no return. I need to be back where it's just me and my
daddy, and there aint nothing that can come between us.
But I can't ignore the reality of my life
forever. I love my daddy, but I can't forsake Saul and Austin for
the sake of his approval. Although I'm soothed to be back in his
presence, it truly hits home how much I miss my boys.
I wish I could share them with my family. I wish
I could share my family with them. I wish...
'Nothing ever comes from just wishing, princess.
Wish upon that star,
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