Page 73 of Finding Parker

I took a shallow breath, “I’ll need you to advise me on setting up a trust, and a college fund.”

“Easy work for me. May I ask…”

Before he finished speaking, I proudly responded.

“For the baby. Our child. Victoria’s pregnant.”

“Oh my word. Well, congratulations, Parker. Keep me apprised of the developments. And a trust will be nothing to set up. We’ll have fun doing so. The pregnancy…that’s sure exciting. It certainly didn’t take you two very long,” he patted my shoulder lightly as he chuckled.

After careful consideration of his statement and some serious thought, I responded, “You should live every day as if you’re going to die at midnight. And ask yourself throughout the course of each day, if this were my last day on this earth, would I do anything different?”

“Wise words,” Hec nodded his head and grinned.

“May I ask its origination?” he asked.

I turned to face the window and focused on the ocean once again as I responded.

“Certainly. He was my father.”

EPILOGUE

Although I had very few problems with the baby to speak of, for some reason today was much different. After feeding, he had not burped. Now, he continued to cry and fuss. Parker’s futile attempts to burp him were followed by Downes’ who was also unsuccessful. Frustrated and tired, I wished there was something more I could do.

“I’ll call the doctor if he continues,” Downes sighed.

“We’ll see. Maybe it’ll naturally work its way out,” I shrugged.

“Should we go ahead and try to go?” Parker asked

I nodded my head as I walked along the hallway, bouncing with each step.

“I’ll pull the B7 around,” Downes said as he walked from the room.

It had been about a year since Kenton’s death. We had each found our own way of dealing with his death as well as his absence from the home. Having the home as ours was one of the best things for us all, and had certainly drawn us closer as a family. Karen stayed, which was a blessing in itself. Together, we had developed our own friendship, sharing recipes and taking turns cooking for the men. Her peach tea was something we all continued to enjoy during our time together on the deck – a reminder of things since passed.

Parker followed as I walked out onto the porch. The month of May in San Diego is about like every other month, and today was no exception – eighty degrees and sunny. Downes opened the door of the car as I approached, and I lowered the baby into the car seat. After buckling him in, I walked to the other side and got into the car beside him.

“Sit in front, Parker. I’ll ride back here alone and relax,” I sighed.

As Parker got into the front seat, I exhaled. For now, the baby was lightly fussing and attempting to fall asleep. It was a great improvement from earlier, as the morning had been filled with his constant wailing. I closed my eyes as the car began to maneuver through the long drive and away from our home. I knew the drive to the cemetery shouldn’t take long. We’d all been there before, but this was our first of what would surely become many traditional visits. It was our first Memorial Day. Exhausted from the sleepless night, I fell asleep to the sound of the car’s tires humming on the surface of the road.

“Wake up, we’re here,” Parker said as he opened the car door.

I blinked my eyes and focused on the gravestones along the horizon. I’d never been to a cemetery before my mother or Kenton passed away; my father had been buried in another state, and my mother and I never took the time to travel to his grave. I turned toward the baby who was sleeping.

“Want to take turns?” I asked as I motioned toward the car seat.

Parker shrugged, “I guess it’d probably be best. I love you. We won’t be long.”

“Leave the flowers, or at least some of them,” I said out the open door.

Parker nodded his head and raised his index finger to his lips. I looked down at the baby as he quietly slept and smiled. I turned toward the door again and slowly pulled it closed.

“You shhhh,” I smiled as I pulled against the door handle.

Parker and Downes weren’t gone for long, and they returned. After Parker took my position in the back seat, Downes and I quietly walked to the gravesite. As we stepped to the gravestone and stopped, Downes handed me some the fresh flowers we had brought with us. Standing in front of the grave, clutching the flowers in my hand, I slowly lowered myself in front of the etched stone.

“Well, it’s Memorial Day. Not that we need a special day to come visit, but this is the first of our family tradition. I’m sure Parker told you, but in case he didn’t, I will.”