Page 125 of Don't Call Me Daddy
“Now, I’d like to give my husband an opportunity to say a few words.” She passes the mic to my dad, who moves from his throne at the top of the float down to the pavilion beside us.
“Thank you, Mary. You know, when I started Kingsley Industries, I had one goal. To make the world a better place. I know; I know. That’s a lofty goal indeed, but when I look around this town, it is clear that’s exactly what we’ve done here.
“None of it would have been possible without the people of this wonderful community. I don’t know that our businesscould’ve thrived anywhere else because I might have had the idea, but you all created the spirit and energy that kept us going.
“And from that little seed of an idea, all of this was born.” He spans his arms wide. “I’ve devoted the last twenty-five years of my life to this company, and it’s going to be a hard adjustment to step away from it.” He turns to face my mother, who looks so proud. “But that’s the way life should be. We get to have something for a season, and when that season is over, we have to let it go. It’s like raising children in a lot of ways—you spend all this time molding them and guiding them, but at the end of the day, they get to go out there and be their own people. All you can do is be there for them, cheer them on, and hope that you’ve prepared them as best as you could.
“It’s why our work is important. Because it impacts those around us and creates opportunities for those who maybe wouldn’t have them otherwise. Our identity as an individual, at the core of who we are, is so much bigger than any title we can earn.
“So, as it comes time to name my successor, there was always only one choice about who it could be, someone who’s proven to be trustworthy and who’s committed to keeping our mission alive and making the world a healthier, cleaner, better place.”
He places a hand on my shoulder, giving me a little nod as he looks at me with so much pride. “So, without further ado, I’d like to pass the baton over to my son, Leo Kingsley.”
He removes the gaudy plastic crown from his head and places it on mine as everyone around us applauds and cheers.
But I’m not looking at any of them because my eyes are trained on Ivy, who’s trying to mask her own tears as she stands beside my mother. None of this would have been possible without her, and I owe her everything for helping me to finally let go of my armor of guilt.
“Thanks, Dad. This means so much to me. I’ve spent my whole life working toward this goal, and you have no idea how amazing it feels to be given this responsibility. I do not take it lightly.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming out to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of our town’s infamous Phantom sighting. We love putting this festival together each year to celebrate our town’s history, and you might have noticed this year’s festival has been the best one yet …”
I pause as I wait for the crowd’s applause to calm down and gesture for Ivy to come closer.
“None of this would have been possible without this incredible woman standing beside me, the woman who’s captured all of our hearts from the moment she arrived.” I check my watch. “She’s supposed to be boarding a flight to go halfway across the world right now, but instead, she chose to come back here to make sure everything went according to plan, which just goes to show the level of dedication she has and the effort she put in to make this festival so spectacular. Which is why we wanted to give you a token of our appreciation …”
Her eyes go wide, and she looks around trying to see what I’m talking about.
“Leo … what is this?” she whispers under her breath.
I take her hand in mine as I lead her off the float, lifting her down and placing her gently on the ground. I lead her over to the Phantom statue that stands in the center of the town square, to where a tarp is draped to cover something on the other side.
I turn to face her. “All of this might have started out as a fake plan to convince everyone I was a changed man … but the way I feel about you is anything butfake.”
“You’ve not only stolen my heart, but you have everyone in this town rooting for you too. We know you’ve got a big futureahead of you, and you’re only at the beginning of your journey to find yourself.”
I grab the corner of the tarp, pausing as I let my words sink in. Her eyes well with tears as she looks at the familiar faces around her.
Big Dan stands behind her, his arm wrapped around his wife, Susan, who Ivy helped him surprise for their anniversary on her first day here.
Miss Scarlett wipes her eyes with a tissue, her nose red and swollen from crying.
My family’s all gathered together, even Jett, standing by in support, and I even catch sight of Ricky and Janice, who’ve been inseparable since that wild company trivia night. She’s touched so many lives in her short time here, and I don’t think she even realizes it.
I pull the tarp away, revealing a shiny, new bench that sits just in front of the Phantom. “You always have a place here in Ashford Falls to call home.”
Ivy gasps, her hands covering her mouth as she takes a step closer to get a better look. Her fingers trail over the inscription, and she looks back at me with tear-filled eyes.
It reads,In loving memory of Fern Ophelia Lane.
“Leo … I can’t believe you did this. This is too much. It’s … it’s …”
I take a step toward her. “It wasn’t just me; we all did this. We took a town vote, and it was unanimous. We wanted to honor your sister and give you a home base you could always come back to. I know you’re young, and you’ve still got things you need to do to find yourself, but you’ll always have a home here. You breathed a new life into this town, and we wanted to show you how much you’re going to be missed.”
She shakes her head. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me …” Her words trail off as she wipes her tears with the back of her hand.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” I stick my hand in my pocket and pull out the worn, small, folded piece of paper. “I found this underneath one of the cots down in the bunker. It must’ve fallen out of your pocket when we were down there.”
She slowly takes the fragile list as a look of relief washes over her face, but then her eyes drop, and I can see the slight quiver in her lip.
