Page 13 of Stolen Kisses

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The minute the door opens into Dad’s restaurant, Kenny takes off through the main room to his office out back. I have to lengthen my strides to keep up with her. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I remember the layout clearly after spending a lot of my youth hanging out here. While Anna helped out in the kitchen, I often spent my time repairing any wobbly chairs and tables. As I got older, I made some of the furniture, which I notice is still being used as I look around. One set, in particular, brings back unwelcome memories.

Dad steps out of his office, holding Kenny to him as she tells him all about her new friends—Austin, Lachlan, and Emma. He kisses the tip of her nose, his eyes sparkling in happiness, as she squeezes his cheeks with her tiny hands.I realize thiswould make a great photo, so I take out my phone and snap a pic. I might frame it and give it to him for Father’s Day. I’m sure he’ll love it.

“Theo!” Dad finally notices me. I’ve never felt like I really fit in here. My passion is working with timber, creating custom furniture that’s not only comfortable, but thoughtfully designed, and beautiful too. Stepping forward, he wraps his free arm around me, pulling me in for a hug. Kissing both cheeks, he pulls back with a smile. “You look good, Son.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

He winks at me. “For an old man.”

“Hahaha. Always the freaking comedian.” I tuck my hands in my pockets. Why is it that whenever I’m in my father’s company, I revert to feeling like a damn kid?

It’s great to see him with a sparkle in his eye as he looks at his granddaughter. Neither of us took losing Anna very well, but as her father, he took it worse. He felt powerless to help his baby girl. He couldn’t ‘fix’ the problem and for a man, that’s the hardest situation to deal with. It would have been tough for him to watch helplessly as the same disease that stole his wiferavaged his only daughter. It would have been better if it had been me. Itshouldhave been me.

“C’mon, let’s go and eat. I’ve organized all your favorites for your birthday.”

I wonder if he’ll know what my favorites are? Everything was always all about Anna when she was still with us; which I understood as I got older. Their mutual love of cooking made them especially close. I wasmore of amomma’s boy, so when we lost her, I felt adrift because I’d lost my person. While Dad and Anna grieved together, I turned inward; becoming withdrawn. I pulled away and at the first opportunity I had, I moved east—away from the pain and the memories.

Dad guides us to a private table in the back corner, hidden behind a screen. It’s actually one of the first settings I made for the restaurant and I’m honestly surprised it’s still here. I glide my hand over the smooth timber which I sanded to within an inch of its life. Memories of an extraordinarily lonely and painful time assault me. I’m thankful we’re not sitting at the setting on the opposite side of the restaurant. The one that brings back memories of an even darker time.

“I remember you making this set for me in our garage. You spent many hours working to make it perfect. It’s probably my favorite setting in the entire restaurant.” My head snaps up to him and he gives me a ghost of a smile. The young adult that was always trying to impress his father puffs out his chest with pride. “Sit, sit. Let’s enjoy some good food.”

“I’mhungwy,” Kenny informs us as she situates herself on a chair between the only two family members she has left.

“Good. I asked Thomas to make your favorite,spanakotiropita.”

Kenny’s eyes widen and her lips spread wide as she wriggles excitedly in her seat. “Yummy. I love the baby pies.”

Dad taps the end of her nose and winks. “I know this. Now, have you been good for Uncle Theo?”

She looks across at me for confirmation, so I nod my head. “Yep.” She nods as she speaks, confidence coloring her tone.

Dad looksatme with raised eyebrows. “She’s been pretty good apart from disappearing on me twice and nearly giving me a heart attack. Then there was the time I caught her drawing flowers on her bedroom wall. Other than that, she’s been great.”

Dad covers his mouth with his hand, turning his head away from Kenny to hide his amusement. I’m glad the old man thinks it’s funny that his only son nearly had a heart attack last Saturday.

I look at my niece, who looks as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. “We’re working things out, aren’t we, Munchkin?”

As seriously as she can for a four-year-old, she nods her agreement and I don’t even try to hold back my smile.

“That’s good to hear. When are you going to take Kenny back to pre-kindergarten?”

“I wanted to have a week together so we could get to know each other.” I smile at Kenny and then ask her, “Are you happy to go back topre-kindergartennext week?”

Her eyes light upasshe jigs up and down. “Oh yeah. I missing all myfwiends.”

I bet she has. She’s a sociable little girl. “You made friends with the kids next door.”

Dad’s watching us closely, a small smile on his face. I know he was worried about how we’d get along. Whether I’d be able to cope with raising a little girl on my own. The plan is for him to take her on the first weekend of every month and for us all to catch up for dinner here every couple of weeks. He’s always been close with Kenny because Anna moved in with him once she fell pregnant.

One of the servers arrives at the table with our meals. Small filo pies filled with spinach and feta for Kenny; I’ve got the grilled lamb chops with lemon-oregano vinaigrette and lemon-flavored grilled potatoes; while Dad has the same potato dish with charcoal-grilled, dry-aged rib-eye and braised greens.

Dad introduces his employee to me. “Kathleen, this is my son, Theo. Theo, this is one of my best servers, Kathleen.”

“Hi, Kathleen. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” She smiles.“Happy birthday and enjoy your dinner.”She leaves us to our dinner, returningto the kitchen.

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