Enjoy it

Having been hard at work all semester, the girls are content to have a lazy day in. Izzi curls up on the couch with a book, while Sara plays around on her phone. Mindy pouts for a while, having envisioned a day with more action, but she soon sits in the easy chair, alternating between paying attention to the news on the TV and reading some webcomic with great delight.

You sit in your own chair, pretending to read a novel but in reality you’re just enjoying the situation. You haven’t been this happy since Lisa died…

Shut that thought down.

Soon it is time to make dinner. Prime rib tonight, with a nice salad and some potatoes on the side. You take pride in your kitchen, and in providing for your daughters. They may not be your blood, but they are yours in every way that matters. Lisa would be so proud if she could see…

Shut that thought down.

The meal is, as you expected, a big hit. You pour a round of wine for the girls. You know that, by law, Sara and Mindy are too young, but you also remember how easy it was to get **** when you were a lad. You’d rather they do it at home and all that crap. Besides, it’s one glass.

A few bites in, Izzi surprises you. “Sisters, John, I’d like to propose a toast.” You all raise your glasses. “To Mom. I know we’ve all been thinking it, but she died five years ago today.”

Solemnly, you all click glasses and take a sip. It was irrational, but you were hoping none of the girls would realize it. You hide your face, hoping your daughters will not see your tears.

With that weird insight that women sometimes get, Sara speaks up. “Another toast, then. To John! He raised us from girlhood and refused to stop fighting and caring for us even when Dad did. We owe him everything.”

You let go of pretense and are crying openly now. “Honestly, angels, all the thanks I need is to see the terrific women you have become. Your mother would be so proud…”

By now there is not a single dry eye, so you quit your maudlin speech and make a joke. The girls appreciate the effort and allow you to steer the conversation into neutral territory. The dinner is finished, you allow Izzi and Sara to do the dishes.

You turn on Jeopardy! Izzi and Mindy enjoy shouting out the answers, and even Sara gets into the game. Afterwards, you turn on the baseball game. Though you know that the girls don’t enjoy the sport as much as you do, they humor you, and even manage to make some insightful commentary. As the game comes to a close, you realize how late it is, and excuse yourself to bed, enjoining the girls to have fun.