Page 68 of Finding Parker

And it all began to make sense.

“That’s why the contract stated I had to go to the bookstore?” I asked as I stared at the wall above him.

He nodded his head.

“Seven years,” he breathed.

I shook my head in wonder.

“I waited seven years to actually meet her,” he paused.

“And for someone like you to come along,” he smiled.

“Why didn’t you tell her? Earlier? Why don’t you tell her now?” I asked.

He shook his head, “I couldn’t let her find out. And I can’t. Her mother told her the father died immediately after her birth. And she stuck to that story. Her mother was all she ever had. To tell her otherwise would ruin her trust of her mother, and in turn, their relationship.”

“All for a little self-satisfaction and selfishness on my part?” he closed his eyes.

He opened his eyes and began to cry. As he contained himself, and the crying slowed, he opened his eyes and looked my direction.

“And the greatest three gifts God could ever give me,” he hesitated and raised his hand.

“Meeting her,” he raised one finger.

“Meeting you,” he raised another.

“And giving my little girl away at her wedding,” he raised the third finger.

I attempted to digest everything he had said, and began to break down. As I started to cry, I covered my face with the palms of my hands and began to blubber. This was too much to understand, comprehend, and accept.

As I fought to regain my composure, Kenton spoke.

“When you decided to propose, I began to second guess my decision to die from the cancer. Everything was going so well, I decided maybe I did deserve to live. I decided after the wedding I’d go to a specialty hospital and seek emergency treatment.”

“You weren’t in Chile?” I asked, feeling stupid after I did so.

He shook his head.

“I was in Texas. At a specialty hospital. MD Anderson. The best. They tried, but, it was too late. Now? It’s running through me like a river,” he sighed.

“How long do you have?” I asked.

“About ten minutes for the medicine to wear off. And maybe a day from what the doctor said,” he shook his head and closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry, son.” he whispered.

I suppose many people would be angry, feel lied to and maybe cheated. I, on the other hand, did not. I know Victoria and I were meant to be together, regardless of the circumstances which brought us together. I wouldn’t trade the fact that we were married for anything on or of this earth. Kenton, to me, had been and continued to be nothing less than the father I never had. He was a gentleman, and a very intelligent man regarding living life and doing so in a manner which would cause others stand and take notice.

“I have two requests,” Kenton whispered.

As I attempted to speak, my voice faltered. I nodded my head.

“Never tell her who I am. Don’t ruin her mother’s name.”

I nodded sharply.

“Promise me, Parker,” he whispered.