Page 50 of Finding Parker

“I love her, Kenton. That will never change. It won’t fade, either. I’m certain,” I responded proudly.

“Splendid, she’s a fine woman. None finer, I’ll say. Not a one,” he smiled.

He began to pace again as he thought.

“Although in this day and age people seem to view it differently, marriage is a commitment for life, Parker. The union between the two of you will never be perfect. There will be times when you’ll naturally want to walk out. Throw in the towel, so to speak. Everyone has them,” he stopped pacing and raised his hand to his chin.

As he rubbed his chin between his index finger and thumb, he began to speak again.

“Surrender in marriage is not an option, Parker. It’s certainly not. Communication is instrumental for a relationship to flourish. You must help her come to understand there will never be anything short of an open line of communication between you. No repercussion for speaking one’s mind, ever.”

“Understood, and I agree,” I nodded.

“Monogamy, Parker. A monogamous relationship is the only relationship that has the ability to last. If you stray from this marriage, mark my words, I’ll…” his voice filled with anger as he spoke.

“It’ll never happen. You have my word,” I interrupted before he finished speaking.

“When a man gives his word, he holds the world’s perception of himself in his own palm,” he faced me and pressed his hands into the pockets of his shorts.

“Kenton, she’s the one,” I hesitated and thought of the analogy Kenton had told me several months prior regarding playing cards.

I stood from my seat and cleared my throat. Kenton continued to stand in the center of the room, his hands pressed deeply into the pockets of his shorts. As I stood from my seat, he tilted his hear rearward and waited for what I chose to stand and offer him. I lowered the tone of my voice and attempted to mimic Kenton.

“You must know, and know you must, when to hold your cards close to your chest and say, I’ll risk it all. Being so certain that what you’re holding is right. That it is, without a doubt, the clear winner. So sure that you’re willing to risk it all, everything you have, knowing you have a winner in your hands,” I paused and smiled.

“Kenton, I’m all in. I’m willing to bet it all. And rest assured, I’ll treat her with nothing but honor,” I said proudly.

“When a man treats a woman with honor, it is a testament to the honor of the woman who raised him. I’m sorry I never had an opportunity to meet your grandmother. You make me proud, son,” he said as he opened his arms.

As I opened my arms and stepped toward him, he lurched forward and lifted me from my feet.

“May I go with you to pick out the ring?” he asked as he squeezed me tightly in his arms.

“I suppose so,” I coughed as he patted me sharply on the back with his hand.

As he broke the embrace, he raised his hand to his face again, wiping a tear from his cheek. To my surprise, I had yet to shed a tear during this discussion. Remarkably, it had gone much better than expected.

“May I call Downes, now?” Kenton asked.

“Absolutely,” I smiled.

“Downes,” Kenton hollered.

After a brief wait, Downes stepped into the room.

“Pull the B7 from the garage, please,” Kenton smiled.

“The B7, Mr. Ward?” Downes asked.

Kenton nodded eagerly, “Yes sir.”

I knew enough about Kenton and his cars to know the B7 was his prized possession as far as cars were concerned. It was a two year old BMW sedan which he had only driven roughly one thousand miles over the course of his ownership. The car cost approximately one hundred and sixty thousand dollars new. To say he drove the car on special occasions was an understatement.

“Special occasion, Mr. Ward?” Downes asked.

Kenton looked my direction and raised his eyebrows slightly. I nodded my head once, authorizing him to make the announcement.

“We’ll be shopping for a ring, Downes, of the diamond variety. And to be honest, I’m too damned excited to drive. Care to?” Kenton asked as he pushed his hands into the pockets of his shorts.