Page 47 of Be My Summer

“Sit down, old man. I’ll get yours.”

“I’ve go–”

“Sit down,” Summer demanded.

With a roll of his eyes and a frustrated exhale, Ray took his seat at the head of the table fit for six.

“I hope you don’t mind getting bossed around your own home because that’s all going to happen.”

Sniggering, I responded, “I’m ready for whatever she throws my way.”

With a straight face, Ray peered at me. His voice lowered as he scooted closer to me and leaned in.

“Let me tell you something, Saul–”

“I’m listening.”

“That’s my pride and joy in there,” he explained, “I love her more than I do the oxygen in that tank that’s keeping me alive.”

“Understood.”

“But, I’m tired,” he whispered. “I’m tired. I wake up every day because I know I’m all she has. I’m everything to her as she is everything to me.”

“I understand.”

“But, that’s been changing.”

“I’m here now.”

“Yeah. She won’t be alone.”

I shook my head. “No sir.”

“All I ask is that you take good care of her when I leave this earth. She’s stubborn when she wants to be, but dammit, she is worthy of the problem she can become. She’s a sweet girl. I raised her as such.”

“She’s a gift.”

“She is. Marry her. And, give her children she can pour the love she wished she had from her mother into them. Her soul needs that. That is when she’ll heal. That’s when she’ll let that burden die.”

“I agree.”

“Are you two talking about me?” Summer asked upon returning.

Just as quickly as she approached, she was in the wind again. She came back with three glasses of red juice in her hands. Bottles of water were in the crook of her arms.

“Let me help.”

I stood, rushing to her side to grab the glasses. I placed one near each plate. Before Summer could reach for her chair, I pulled it out.

“What kind is it?” I asked once she settled into her seat.

“Kool-aid. Tropical punch.”

I pushed her chair up to the table and rounded it to get to mine. It had been over fifteen years since I’d tasted Kool-aid. I was anxious to feel the sugary rush, like a kid in a candy store.

“Bow your heads,” Ray commanded, reaching out.

We joined hands and bowed our heads, prepared for our food to be blessed.