Jack realizes he’s falling in love with Donna – Part 10

Eddie had been gone an hour and the game was into the third inning. It was getting dark out. The tell-tale sound of knuckles knocking on the glass slider startled me. I couldn’t see who it was so I lowered the power foot-rest, which takes forever, and struggled out of the seat. I turned on the outside light and opened the door. It was Divi. She was dressed nicely but when she turned to face me, she had a frown on her face. She was near tears and I motioned for her to come in. She stepped into the living room and burst out crying.

I calmed her down by holding her tight to me. When she stopped, I said, “Okay. What’s wrong.”

She said, “It’s Mom. She just left on a date. I told her she was making a mistake but she just dismissed me. She needs to be with you Jack and she knows it. I even stayed away from you in case that was the problem. Well, I stayed away as best I could anyway.”

I calmed her down again and said, “Divi. Your mom has her life to live. We haven’t really had our chance but it’s her call. I’ve hoped that we could make a go of it but every time things look hopeful, somehow, I screw it up. I don’t want to live from moment to moment. I don’t blame her for any of the drama. I guess the Gods are against us. She needs a man in her life, especially when you go off to college. You know she won’t be good alone.” Divi looked at me and nodded as she wiped her eyes on the back of her sleeve.

Divi said, “I suppose you’re right but I hope this guy is a major jerk. My first impression is that I don’t like him, but I guess it may be just because he isn’t you. I still think you two were made for each other, but what do I know. I’m just a kid.”

I pulled her to me and held her tight and said, “Divi, your everything but just a kid.” I changed the subject by asking her about her preferences for college and where she had applied. She moved to the loveseat and I returned to the sofa across from her. We talked a long time about what she hoped for in her life. We had never talked about such things and it turned out that neither had she and her mother.

She grew quiet and then said, “Thank you Jack. I feel a little better but I’m still hoping for you.” I smiled as I thought, ‘Not very long ago, I was hoping the same thing. I hadn’t even realized it, but I had given up on that hope.’ I knew I was careening off in another direction.

Divi got up and turned toward the slider. I got up and followed her. At the door she turned and pushed herself to me and hugged me and kissed me. I kissed her back without passion. She hugged up to me and spoke into my chest, “If Mom doesn’t want you. I do.”

I chuckled and said, “Divi, I’m honored but that’s not going to happen. You’re leaving for college in a few weeks. Your life starts there. Don’t look back. Always go forward. I kissed her forehead and she pulled back. She had tears in her eyes but she wasn’t crying. She gave a half-hearted smile and she was gone. I stood by the door for a while until I was sure she was back in her own yard and then I shut off the deck light and returned to my seat. The ballgame was still on but I couldn’t concentrate on it. I was thinking about how doors of opportunity open and shut. One door had apparently just shut and I was strangely feeling okay with it. My thoughts turned away from Priya to Donna.

Please wait…

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