I Heard Dad's Friends Through the Wall, Now They Hear Me novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: The Porch

My father waited until the dishes were done and the men were out of the room.

He took me onto the front porch, to Boone's new steps, and we sat side by side with the porch light buzzing.

"I'm not good at this," he said.

"I know."

"Your mother would have said it in a minute. She'd have cried, and then she'd have hugged all of them." He studied his boots. "I don't know how to do it in a minute."

"Take two."

He almost smiled.

"I want you happy, Di. That's all I ever wanted. I didn't picture it this way. I'm going to need a long time to stop picturing the other way."

"Okay."

"Don't tell me details. Not now, not ever."

"I won't."

"Don't let any of them get comfortable." He cleared his throat. "And if one of them hurts you, I know where they live. All three."

I put my head on his shoulder.

He stiffened, and then he let his cheek rest on my hair.

"You're allowed to visit," I said. "You're allowed to be at the cottage. Come see the pear tree."

"I might."

"I'll make you a key to the cottage."

"I'll knock first."

"That would be a first for this family."

He laughed, quietly and badly, and wiped his eyes with the heel of his hand.

That was his blessing.

It was awkward and plain and I would not have traded it.

The cottage was dark when we got back, and the porch light was out.

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