This Much is True - Tia Louise Page 0,84
head to the side, I remember how he was with his brother, his son, me. “He’s an amazing dad. His little boy is so adorable, and he’s a loving grandson. His brother adores him…”
“Says a lot about a man when other people care about him that much.”
“I really do love him. I think he loves me, too.”
Dad’s lips twitch, and he slants an eye at me, giving me a little grin. “If that’s the case, then it’s going to happen. The universe doesn’t let true love go unanswered. It wouldn’t be right.”
“I hope so.”
“Hope eternal.”
We spend the rest of the day walking along the shore. I meet his new girlfriend Karla, and she’s really beautiful. Slim with brown skin and thick, spiral-curled brown hair. She’s smart and wise, and she clearly loves my father.
We have dinner and she tells me about her yoga practice. She specializes in middle-aged patients, and as much as she never gets involved, she couldn’t resist my fit, handsome father.
I’m not harshing on her. Dad’s a silver fox all right. And she’s really calm and steady. I think she’ll be good for him.
When he walks me to the Impala that night, I’m not sure I’m ready to say goodbye, but I know it’s time to get back to San Francisco. Two weeks is a long time to be away from home, and I have to make a decision one way or the other.
“If you really love him, hold onto him.” Dad smooths a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re not an easy girl to let go.”
“Sure you’re not just saying that because I’m your daughter?”
“No.” He shakes his head, and it makes me laugh. I put my face against his chest and hug him again, longer, not wanting to let him go.
“I’m so glad I got to see you. Karla is amazing.”
“You’re amazing. I love you, Sunshine.” He steps back, inspecting Metallicar. “I knew you’d take care of my baby. I have to say, you look like a badass driving it.”
“You’re the badass.” One last dad hug, and I think I’m ready to face the real world again.
Still, there are times when I wish I was a little girl, laughing and screaming from the treehouse out back, not a care in the world.
I’m pulling up to the beach shack when my phone goes off with a text from a number I haven’t heard from in weeks. Are you back in town?
Are you back in town? I reply. Last I heard, Scout was returning to Charleston to be with Jesse.
Would you do something for me if I promise it’ll make you happy?
I can’t imagine what he’s talking about, still, I’m curious. Only if it’s quick and easy.
When did quick and easy ever equal happy?
Touché. Still make it quick.
An hour later, I’m walking on the pedestrian path along the Golden Gate Bridge. I haven’t done this since I was a girl with my dad. We used to try and see if we could run the whole way across. I always ended up not even halfway across with a cramp, holding my side and laughing.
Traffic is still pretty sparse at my back, and I stop in the center, looking out over the waves far below. It’s dark, and I close my eyes, remembering a time when I believed I could hear the angels singing over the waters.
It’s been a long time since I believed that.
I don’t even get sad anymore.
“Hope?” The deep voice pulls me up short, and my eyes flash open.
My breath disappears, and my body trembles all over. What’s happening right now?
He comes closer, breaking into a jog until he’s right in front of me.
I still can’t find my voice, and now I’m having a hard time seeing his face. Tears blur my eyes.
“Did he…” He looks over his shoulder in the direction he came, and I take the chance to reach up and lightly touch my fingers to the ends of his dark hair.
At last I find my voice. “What are you doing here?”
Ice-blue eyes blink back at me under a dark, furrowed brow. He’s so brutally handsome, for a moment I’m lost in the sight of him.
“My phone.” He stops short, shaking his head like he’s in disbelief. “The guy you gave my phone called Scout and said he couldn’t fix it… But he was able to retrieve the file you needed. The last video.”
An ache fills my throat, and I almost can’t speak. “He got it?” Blinking, a crystal tear hits my cheek.
JR