Page 40 of Finding Parker

“How long have you been seeing Victoria now?”

“Oh, roughly seven weeks,” I responded.

“Roughly seven?” he chuckled.

“Yes sir.”

“Just a rough guess?” he smiled as he poured a glass of tea and pushed it across the table toward me.

“Seven weeks and three days, to be a little more exact,” I laughed.

“Your thoughts, in summary?” he asked as he gazed into his glass of tea.

“Regarding her? Us?” I asked.

He nodded his head as he continued to appear distracted by the contents of his tea glass.

“Well, the same as before, I guess,” I paused, wondering if there was anything new to offer since our last discussion.

“The fibers. The peach matter stays suspended in the liquid, like little floating hairs. It must be why I enjoy this so much more than the raspberry. The raspberries simply sink to the bottom of the pitcher,” he shook his head as he looked up from the glass, “my apologies. Continue, please.”

“I don’t know if I have anything new to offer,” I shrugged.

“Well, a reiteration will suffice. I enjoy hearing about you two immensely. Tell me about the girl, Parker. You’re beginning to bore me,” he chuckled.

“Well, her mother is dependent upon painkillers, an addiction that stemmed from an accident at work. One thing led to another, and she is now, in Victoria’s own words, a slave to narcotics. Sad, when you think about it. Victoria seems to find at least some satisfaction in caring for her. She really doesn’t complain about it. I think most would,” I said.

“I agree. It speaks volumes of her devotion to family and loved ones,” Kenton nodded his head as he leaned into the back of his chair and crossed his legs.

“There’s not much I can tell you about her you don’t already know. She loves to cook, but never does. She’s a little bit of a wild one, and definately not afraid to toss an expletive into a conversation to prove a point or get your attention,” I grinned and slowly shook my head.

“Sit down, you big fucking brute, when she said that I damn near pissed myself. You know, after you left that night, Downes and I talked at length. He told me he stood in the kitchen with her as she prepared the entire meal. It was at her insistence. She told him he intimidated her and she didn’t like it. But, as intimidated as she was, she chose to face her fear. In a matter of thirty minutes, she learned Downes is nothing short of a true gentleman. He can be rather stern, but a gentlemen nonetheless. I’m truly pleased she made friends with him.”

“She told me the same thing. She compared him to a well-trained German Shepherd – very protective over the people he loves, in a constant state of preparedness, and loyal until death. I had to admit I agreed with her,” I looked through the French doors hoping to catch a glimpse of him, yet saw nothing but my own reflection.

“I meant what I said wholeheartedly,” Kenton said as he leaned forward in his chair.

“Regarding?” I asked.

“Having dinner together made me feel like we were a family. It really did, and must say I enjoyed it immensely. I now yearn for it. I want you two to come here as much as possible. I’ve grown to love you, Parker. I truly have. And seeing you with Victoria,” he paused, raised his hands to his face, and turned in the seat of his chair to face the ocean.

After a very long moment of silence, still facing the ocean, he began to speak.

“You know, we fear what we don’t understand and find serenity in what we’re incapable of understanding. I find tremendous satisfaction in this; staring out into the ocean, that is. It’s endless. From what I can see from here, there is a well-defined beginning and no ending whatsoever. It just goes on forever. I find it…well, there’s nothing else that compares, Parker. The tranquility from this viewpoint is immeasurable,” as his voice began to falter, he inhaled an audible breath.

After an extended pause, he continued speaking.

“You and Victoria – how the two of you react and respond to each other is nothing short of magic. When I began this venture, I hoped to obtain a false sense of satisfaction that I had played a part in the forming of what could or would be a perfect relationship for someone. I had little hope, if any, that it would truly come to fruition. I expected to provide advice on gentlemanly behavior to someone who needed my guidance. You, son, need nothing. You’re the last of a dying breed of men, you truly are. Short of you choosing to part ways with me, I can make this statement without reservation,” he stood from his chair, gripped his putter, and looked down at the surface of the deck.

“I’ll be here for you, wholeheartedly,” he looked up from the deck, “until the bitter end.”

As Kenton faced me, I immediately noticed his eyes were puffy and red. In staring out toward the ocean, he had probably become emotional over the thought of Victoria and me being part of his adopted family. Studying his face, it appeared as if he had been crying. The thought of him obtaining this level of satisfaction from the two of us caused me to realize not only was Kenton Ward human, he was also invested emotionally. He felt just as I did. He found value in having me be a part of his life no differently than I found value in having him be a part of mine. The entire idea of him employing me had seemed ludicrous at first. Now, sitting here, it made perfect sense. Kenton Ward was living a vicarious life through Victoria and me – one that he had been incapable of living himself.

“The bitter end being?” I asked, not necessarily wanting to know the answer.

“Life itself,” he responded, extending his hand toward me.

As I stood and gripped his hand, it dawned on me. At this very moment, Kenton Ward and I were making a pact. He, at least in my mind, had adopted me as a member of his extended family, for a lifetime. Holding his hand firmly in mine, for the first time in my life, it was as if I was shaking the hand of my father.