If only Dad could be here...388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB8ShixrU1
By Edith Patterson Hill, Rockford, Illinois388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kfOKhFpcg
My father was a keen observer of human nature. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ1oYSDzUL
Within seconds of meeting someone, he could summarize their 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimKDxwUGb8
strengths and weaknesses. It was always a challenge to see if any of my ,388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2m8oJiaUw
boyfriends would pass the paternity test. No one did. Dad was always right - they didn't pass my test either. When Father died, I wondered how to figure it out myself. Then Jack arrived. He was different than any other man I had met. He could sit at the piano bench with my mother for , hours and discuss , obscure composers. My brother Rick loudly announced to that Jack was no turkey like the other boys I brought home. My sister Denise used to laugh with her about the old 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7Pbkuk2nD
Danny Kaye movies. And Jack was great with my mentally challenged brother 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2fvcWamBV
Chuck. At one point, Chuck put his greasy hands, fresh off a cheeseburger, on 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ILjvuwAKk
Jack's shoulders, kissed his cheek with ketchup-coated lips, and called him by the wrong name, exclaiming, "Ah, Jeff, I love ya. !" Jack didn't miss it. you, George!" 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDtJJheA4a
Jack passed my family test. What about Dad? Then came the weekend of my mother's birthday. Jack came from his home in Milwaukee to Chicago. On the day he had to drive, I got a call: "Don't worry," he said, "but I was in an accident." His car had suspended; when he stopped, another car hit. "I'm fine, but you have to come to me." Thank God she's fine, I thought as I drove to Milwaukee. When we got there, we rushed to flower shop to get something for mom. "What about gardenias?" Jack said showing a beautiful white bodice. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpCREYG2Lw
"You never see them this time of year," I said. Flower shop put a corsage in a box.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBfiQX3h63
During the trip, Jack was unusually calm. "Are you 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKrEWqncdE
right?" I asked. We drove to my mother's street. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK2rKBlFVD
"I've been thinking a lot," he said. "I might be in the 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSfsr1C6Gy
movement." Moving? When did he tell me that? When did he pack ? 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHCkIGwdox
Then he added: "Moreover, to you." I almost put the car on the pavement. "What?" I asked. "I think we should get married," he said. He told me that he was planning a great restaurant, but after 's accident, he decided to do it now. "Yes," I whispered 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAUFeFoM6t
. We both sat speechless, tears streaming down our cheeks, unable to speak. I have never felt such a tender moment. If only Dad was here to give the final approval. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLI9xpXFrH
"Oh, let's just go in," Jack said with a laugh. We got out of the car and he walked down the driveway carrying the Corsa. My mother opened the door. "Happy birthday!" we shouted. Jack pushed the box towards him. He opened it. 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFRzqyvjDl
Suddenly his eyes filled with tears. Jack and I looked at each other . "Mom, what's wrong?" I asked. "I'm sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "This is only the 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1NOBS0gtI
th gardenia corsilla I have ever received. I received years ago, long before I had children." "By whom?" I asked. "Your father," said mother. "He gave me one right before # when we got engaged." My eyes locked on Jack as I blinked back 388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt2mLUNPTB
tears. Dad's test? I knew Jack had passed.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0x7NDe9Xc
