Page 19 of Memphis

Me:

Hey.

It’s me.

I’m just checking to make sure you’re okay.

I waited and waited,but I never did get a response.

Eventually, I gave up and went to meet my father for dinner, hoping he would be able to give me the answers I so desperately needed. When I got out to my car, I took a moment to freshen up my makeup before driving over to the restaurant. It had been over a year or more since I’d spent any time with my father alone, so I was feeling a little nervous as I parked and started up to the front door.

When I stepped inside, I smiled at the familiar scent of soy sauce and sizzling teriyaki. Soft ambient music was playing in the background, which made it the perfect spot for an awkward dinner with my father. I quickly scanned the room and found him sitting at a table near the back.

He was dressed in an expensive business suit that was tailored perfectly to his imposing frame. Despite the relaxed atmosphere of the quaint family restaurant, he sat with his back stiff and his chin out with an air of authority. There was a time when I absolutely adored him and couldn’t wait to leap into his arms. He would hold me close, and I felt truly loved and cherished.

But as I walked over to him, he looked like a stranger to me, and I almost wished I hadn’t agreed to dinner. We exchanged a tense nod, and I forced a smile as I slipped into the seat across from him. My voice was a little too loud and way too merry as I said, "Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”

"Antonia," he clipped. “You’re looking well.”

“I’m doing okay.” I picked up the menu and looked it over as I asked, “How are things at the office?”

“Busy.”

“Aren’t they always?” Before he could respond, I told him, “I just got hired to handle a new big case.”

“Good for you.”

That was it. He didn’t ask who or what the case was about, so I didn’t bother to share the details. “What about you? How are things with your work?”

“Busy. Always busy.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“That it is.”

An awkward silence fell over us. It was thick with the weight of our strained relationship, and I hated it. I loved my father and wanted things to go back to the way they used to be. Our relationship had grown more tense since his marriage to Kay, although I loved her and thought she was perfect for my father. However, spending so little alone time with him since their marriage had ultimately changed our relationship to a more forced one, and I didn’t know how to change it. So, I did the only thing I could. I sat there with him, ordered my dinner, and hoped that maybe, just maybe, tonight would be different.

Once our waitress brought our food over, I bided my time until I found the opportunity to ask, “So, have you heard anything from Kay about what happened to Wes?”

“Oh, yes. She called earlier, and she was pretty shaken. He’s taken quite the tumble.” Before I had a chance to ask what he was talking about, he started to ramble, “Those motorcycles are dangerous vessels. They shouldn’t even be allowed on the road, and anyone who chooses to ride them needs to have their heads checked. It’s reckless to put your life on the line like that.”

“Okay, Dad. I get it.Motorcycles are bad.”

“Don’t get me wrong. Weston is a good kid. He was just led astray by that delinquent father of his, and now, he’s paying the ultimate consequence. It’s a real shame.”

“What do you mean ‘ultimate consequence’? What happened to Weston?”

“He was on his way home from work, and he had a terrible wreck. They’re not sure what happened, but he laid out there on that road for hours before anyone found him. And now, they’re not even sure if he will pull through. It’s a mess. Kay said...”

Dad continued rambling on, but I was too shaken to hear a word he said.

I felt completely numb. It was like the world had stopped turning on its axis, and I was spinning all on my own. I kept seeing images of Weston lying out on that road, hurt and alone, and it had me spiraling. I’d told myself time and time again that there was no chance for me and Weston. I told him the same thing, but there was a piece of me that held onto a sliver of hope that we’d end up working things out.

I wanted so much to step back in time to that moment when Wes was going to kiss me by the pool. I wouldn’t have pulled away. I would’ve thrown caution to the wind and kissed him long and hard. It could’ve been the start of something really amazing. It could’ve been our chance.

And now, it might be gone for good.

Memphis

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