Page 72 of The Game
My dad comes dancing into the kitchen when “Let me Entertain You” is playing, dragging me around as we dance and sing our hearts out.
When the song ends, and we settle down, he gives me a thoughtful look.
“What’s with the look?” I ask him over the rim of my coffee mug.
“She would be so proud of you,” I feel my eyes tear up again as I step into his arms.
“I’d like to think she would be proud of both of us.”
We stand there for a while in each other’s arms, and the music plays in the background.
After breakfast, my dad heads to the supermarket to buy everything needed for dinner tonight, while I clean up the kitchen.
Suddenly, the doorbell rings.
It’s not exactly unusual, since our neighbourhood is very friendly and anyone can stop by to chat.
Still, it’s early on a Saturday.
I open the door to a delivery person holding a giant bouquet of pink lilies.
“Hello, miss, are you Sarah Parker?” he asks me, looking down at the card in front of him.
Sometimes, neighbours and old friends of my mom send us flowers on her anniversary, but we’ve never received lilies before, even though they were her favourite.
Few people know that.
“Yes, that would be me,” I say as I accept the flowers.
I close the door and bring the flowers to the kitchen counter, searching for the card.
When I find it, I feel tears pressing once more.
Always thinking about you, but a little extra today. Hope you and John are doing okay.
-Alexander
I dry my tears, feeling my heart swell in my chest.
How he even knows the specific date is beyond me.
And he didn’t just know; he took the time to send me flowers, my mom’s favourite at that.
The fact that he also included my dad makes it even more special.
If I thought I was in trouble with this man before, I could never have imagined the feelings I’m experiencing now over such a thoughtful gesture—another confirmation of what kind of man he is.
Hit with the realization that this is a man who deserves more from me, I decide to give him a chance.
I will give us a chance.
Who was I trying to fool?
I would never be able to follow through on a friends-with-benefits agreement with him when my heart is already so heavily invested.
I might get burned, but Alexander is a man worth taking that chance with.
I tuck the card into my pocket. Dad is already asking questions about him; no need to give him any more fuel.
