26. Mark
I’m doing my best to pass the time while Faye’s away in Italy. I’ve completed yet another project on my house. My guest bedrooms have now been freshly painted and redecorated, with input from both Faye and my girls.
Thank God for modern technology, like video conferencing, or I’d be a miserable jackass to everyone around me.
It’s been more than two weeks since I’ve seen her.
I’m tired, cranky, and missing her far more than I expected.
With the time difference, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, trying to talk with her when she’s available.
Unfortunately, this project she’s working on is taking longer than expected, as she’s having both hardware and software issues since her client didn’t fully upgrade their system before bringing her on board.
This also means I have no idea when I’ll see her again in person.
I’ve just finished my second run for the day when I hear a knock at my door.
Knowing my kids have keys or can go through the garage, I ignore it at first. Then the knock occurs again, so I get up from the barstool I’d been resting on and reluctantly answer it.
Expecting an unwanted solicitor, I’m surprised to find Herb Ames standing on my front porch.
“Mr. Ames,” I say, my voice higher than usual, as I’m clearly shocked to see him standing in front of me.
“Oh, enough with that Mr. Ames crap.” He swats at the air. “Call me Herb. It’s been over thirty years, and you’re a grown man now, son.”
“Okay, Herb it is.” I nod in agreement. Opening the door wider and gesturing for him to enter, I quickly add, “Come on in. Can I get you something to drink? I’ve got soda, beer, or I can make coffee if you’d like.”
“Soda is fine,” he says as he follows me to the kitchen.
“Have a seat.” I gesture to the barstools and busy myself by pulling two cans of Pepsi from the fridge. “You want a glass or ice?”
“The can is fine,” he says, reaching for it.
“You look like a man on a mission,” I muse aloud. “What can I help you with?”
“I’m sorry to come over unannounced, but I don’t have your number. Since I was watering Faye’s plants, I thought I’d drop by.”
“You’re welcome here any time,” I offer, wondering where he’s going with this. Knowing he and Faye speak regularly, I point out, “You know… You can always get my number from Faye.”
“I could.” He shrugs, running a finger around the rim of his can. “But then she’d know we were talking.”
This has me instantly on alert.
“What’s going on, Herb?” I ask, as a litany of possible reasons spin through my mind.
Swatting at the air, much like his daughter does, he shakes his head. “Can’t a guy just want to talk with the man his daughter’s seeing?”
“Okay…” I draw out. “You know you can. But I’ve got a feeling there’s a particular reason you’re dropping by unannounced.”
“You’ve got me there, Mark. I know things between you and Faye are still fairly new… Well, at least since you’ve been reacquainted.”
“True,” I draw out, hoping he’ll connect the dots for me as to why he’s here, rather than make me guess at them.
Drawing in a heavy breath, he finally says, “Son, I’m gonna be frank with you.”
“As you should,” I encourage.
“I saw the way you looked at my daughter the other morning, and more importantly, the way she looked at you when she thought no one was watching her.”
“Okay…” Where the fuck is this going?
“She loves you; it’s as clear as day.”
“And I love her,” I point out. “Please make your point faster because I’m not sure I like where you’re going with this.”
He’d better not be here to ask me to stop seeing her. Losing her once was more than I’d ever want to endure in a lifetime.
“Ever since the two of you broke things off years ago, I’ve never seen Faye look at another man the way she’s always looked at you.
Her mother and I knew you were the one for her years ago.
But we also know she was the one who pushed you away so you’d pursue your own dreams, and she could follow hers. ”
“I’m well aware of that, but we’re together now, and I don’t have any intention of letting her do it again.”
“That’s good to hear.” He clears his throat, then states, “I just didn’t want you to let her tenacity get in the way of something good for the two of you.”
As I stare at him, it dawns on me. Now is as good a time as ever to check one of the most important things off my list that I had planned to do while she was away.
“Look, Herb, wait here. I’ve got something I want to show you.”
Without waiting for him to respond, I rush to my room. Like a man on a mission, I quickly open my safe and pull out my purchase from DC.
When I return a few minutes later, Herb’s in the same place I left him.
“I’m actually glad you stopped by, as it’ll save me the trip,” I muse, pulling out the box and setting it on the counter between us.
Now, it’s his turn to be shocked and confused. Eyes wide, he asks, “What have you got there?”
“I want you to know without a doubt, Faye is it for me. I knew it mere days after seeing her again. I picked this up when I was in DC a few weeks ago. Go ahead,” I say, shoving the box toward him. “Open it.”
His jaw drops when his eyes land on the ring in front of him.
“She told you about my mother’s earrings,” he whispers in awe.
“Back when we were kids. But I remember,” I assure him. “When the time is right, I intend to ask her to be my wife.”
“I know it was rather presumptuous to show up like this, but you’ve always been straight with me.
You’ve got too much of your mother in you not to.
Our paths haven’t crossed since the diner, and with Faye out of town, I’ll admit…
part of the reason I stopped by this afternoon is because I wanted to learn your intentions. ”
“I meant it when I said you’re welcome anytime.”
“Look, Mark, I’ll be straight with you. I love my daughter to the ends of the earth.
As you well know, she’s strong and independent, and once she’s made her mind up, there’s nothing that will steer her from her course…
.” He inhales deeply, then shakes his head before adding, “That being said, I’ve also seen that she’s quick to push everyone she loves away when things get stressful for her. ”
“I see some things haven’t changed,” I muse. “She’d do that when she was worked up about something while we were in school.”
“The stakes get higher now that she’s working for herself. For some damned reason, she always keeps the weight of the world on her shoulders alone and rarely lets anyone bear it with her.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I assure him.
“I know you will. If anyone can get through to her, it’s you. You were the only one who never let her close herself off and keep her burdens to herself.” Then he chuckles. “I know it’s not always easy, but I think you’ll find your way with Faye.”
He’s got it all wrong. Faye does those things for me, as well. Instead of sharing that with him, though, I simply nod and say, “I appreciate the vote of confidence, Herb. It means a lot.”
Not that I needed his approval, but now that I have it, a weight has been lifted.
Suddenly, Herb looks around my place. “Wow, you’ve certainly been busy with this place. I took a tour before it went on the market, and it looked nothing like this.”
My chest puffs with pride as I look at my accomplishments through his eyes. “Yeah. This certainly has kept me busy since I bought it. I’ve still got plenty to do, but I’d be happy to show you around.”