Page 52 of Ice Ice Maybe
I nodded in agreement. “It sure is.”
The couple continued to Tina Turner’s yearbook, and then Zena shot me a knowing smile.
I bumped her hip playfully with mine.
“Was that Midwestern enough for you?” she whispered.
I smirked. “Yes, but Tennessee is considered a southern state.”
“That never stopped you before,” Zena countered.
“Good point,” I said. “But you forgot to mention the lovely weather and invite them over for a potluck.”
As we shared a laugh, Mrs. Dalton pointed to a concert photo on the wall and asked, “Remember when we saw her at the Sports Arena, Everett?”
Mr. Dalton nodded. “I won’t ever forget that. Lionel Richie opened for her. It was an amazing show. April 28th, 2000.”
I whistled, impressed. “Your memory is amazing.”
“That is because it was the day after our fifth wedding anniversary.” Mrs. Dalton nodded at the concert photo. “He’d wanted to take me, but didn’t have the money for the tickets, so I bought them myself and surprised him.”
I eyed them both, confused. “What do you mean, he didn’t have the money?”
“Everett was working for a start-up, fourteen hours a day, with barely enough money to cover rent and food,” she said.
“It paid off,” Mr. Dalton interjected. “I eventually sold that company for five hundred million.”
Mrs. Dalton’s smile faded. “Sadly, that was the beginning of the end. It was also the last concert we ever attended.”
The mood shifted as Mr. Dalton stepped to Mrs. Dalton, his face covered with guilt. I sensed the need for privacy and gently guided Zena away, giving her parents some space. We watched from a distance as they chatted quietly, Mr. Dalton listening and nodding more than a few times. He kissed Mrs. Dalton and took her hand.
Zena’s eyes welled up with tears. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this. It’s like Dad had forgotten he had a loving wife, someone who needed love in return. For years, I’ve watched them drift apart, Mom’s spirit dimming while Dad buried himself in work.” Zena paused, taking a shaky breath. “I used to dream about them reconnecting, finding that spark again. But as time went on, it seemed less and less likely. And now, I’m watching them hold hands and smile at each other like they used to. It’s overwhelming.”
I nodded, wrapping my arm around her.
A tear slid down her cheek. “Thank you.”
“Me?” I said. “I didn’t do this.”
“Yes, you did,” she said. “This is all you, Nolan.”
Suddenly, Mr. Dalton turned and spotted us. His eyebrows arched as he approached, his gaze fixed on my arm around Zena’s shoulders.
“Nolan,” he said. “Why is your arm around my daughter? There’s no need to fake anything here today with us.”
You are so wrong about that …
I hesitated, trying to come up with a good reason. “Well, because …”
Zena jumped in to save me. “They really have the AC cranked up in here and I was cold. Thanks, Nolan. I’m better now.” She removed my arm, flashing a quick, nervous smile.
Mr. Dalton’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Nolan, can I speak to you in private?”
Mrs. Dalton sighed. “Honestly, Everett, leave him alone.”
“It’s okay,” he assured her. “It’s not what you think.”
Mr. Dalton and I stepped outside, the afternoon sun warm on our faces. He cleared his throat, his usual bravado replaced by an unfamiliar vulnerability.
