Page 64 of Feel It All

My dad does something I rarely see him do: he smiles, a big smile too. “Hi, please call me Sam,” he shakes her hand.

Winry and I take the couch and my dad moves to the recliner.

“So, Winry. How did someone so pretty end up with my son?” he chuckles.

She laughs back. “We had hung out a few times as just friends, but I don’t know, we just kind of had this chemistry. He makes me laugh, treats me right, and he isn’t too bad on the eyes either,” she grins at me, and it feels good to see her smiling.

“Glad to know he isn’t like his parents. His mom and I didn’t exactly show him the best relationship. How is your family? Did they mess you up like we did Graham?” Dad asks.

“Oh, a little bit, but in a different way. My parents are still together and obnoxiously in love. I’m the oldest of three girls and—”

“Three girls? Man, bless your dad’s heart,” he says, shaking his head.

Winry’s head falls back in laughter, “Yeah, we get that a lot. So much so that we always joke about it when one of us does something stupid, we say, ‘Bless your dad’s heart.’”

“Winry’s dad is actually the Chief of Police here in Aster Creek,” I add.

This time, my dad’s head falls back in laughter. “Oh boy, you really went all out and said ‘I’ll date my neighbor and boss’s daughter,’ didn’t you?”

“Yeah, what was I thinking?” I tease and scoot closer to her.

She gives me a little slap to the arm. “My dad gave him a bit of a hard time at first, but ultimately, Graham won him over too. I don’t know if you know this, but he can be pretty charming when he wants to be.”

“Well, he learned from the best,” Dad points and winks at me. “You’re welcome.”

I roll my eyes and we all talk for the next hour and a half about anything and everything. We talked about our jobs and how Dad is planning on retiring soon. We talked childhood stories and how I was chased by ducks as a kid, which is where my fear stems from. Dad was actually being very pleasant and really tried to get to know Winry. He asked her questions and listened when she answered.

A little before 6, Winry had to leave for dinner with her family. “I’d better head out, but it was lovely meeting you, Sam.” She gets up from the couch, and before I can even get up, my dad is up and giving her a hug.

“It was so good meeting you too. Listen, I’m sorry how things went down with Alice, but give her time, okay?” He lets her go, and I walk her out to her car.

“Well, that was…nice.” Winry says, turning to me.

“Yeah, it was.” I push her hair behind her ears. “I think he likes you more than me. I think he has maybe hugged me twice in my whole life.”

“Poor Graham. Don’t worry, honey, I’ll give you all the hugs you want.” She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes.

“Don’t patronize me, buttercup,” I return her squeeze even harder making her giggle.

“I’ve got to go,” she relaxes in my arms.

“Okay,” I pop a quick kiss on her nose. “I love you.”

She beams up at me. “I love you too.” I open her car door, and she climbs in and backs out of the drive.

Back inside, my dad is in the living room holding one of the pictures Winry had printed off and framed that I have on my side table.

“She’s great, Graham. I’m sorry your mom didn’t give her a chance. I mean it only took me a minute of seeing you two together to know that you are in love with each other. I am sure your mom saw the same and maybe that scared her.” He sets the picture back down. “Neither of us really had that. Don’t get me wrong, I love your mom, but I don’t think we were in love. Don’t think I ever have been.”

“It still doesn’t give her an excuse to treat her so badly,” I cross my arms; I get what he is saying, but still.

“No, I know. I’ll talk to her, maybe call her tomorrow?” He walks over and places his hand on my shoulder. “Look, we both just want you to be happy. I can see that Winry does that. Your mom is just afraid of what that could mean.”

“I’ll call her,” I agree.

“Good, now I’ll get out of here so you can get ready for work. It was good to see you,” he says and walks to the front door.

I walk over with him, “Yeah, it was good. Thanks for today, Dad.”

---