Finding Parker

by Scott Hildreth

  “I’m sorry, son.” he whispered.

  I suppose many people would be angry, feel lied to and maybe cheated. I, on the other hand, did not. I know Victoria and I were meant to be together, regardless of the circumstances which brought us together. I wouldn’t trade the fact that we were married for anything on or of this earth. Kenton, to me, had been and continued to be nothing less than the father I never had. He was a gentleman, and a very intelligent man regarding living life and doing so in a manner which would cause others stand and take notice.

  “I have two requests,” Kenton whispered.

  As I attempted to speak, my voice faltered. I nodded my head.

  “Never tell her who I am. Don’t ruin her mother’s name.”

  I nodded sharply.

  “Promise me, Parker,” he whispered.

  I nodded my head and cleared my throat, “You have my word.”

  “And. Bring her here. To see me. Before I die.”

  I nodded again.

  I turned toward the door, not really knowing what to say. My throat had developed a lump making it difficult to breathe, let alone speak.

  “Parker,” Kenton grumbled.

  I turned to face him.

  “I love you, son.”

  I turned to the door, and grasped the knob in my hand. I squeezed the knob tightly and turned it slow. As the door opened, I faced the open hallway and spoke.

  “I love you too,” I hesitated, staring out into the hallway.

  Slowly, I turned to face Kenton, and continued.

  “Father.”

  PARKER. “Parker explained everything on the way here. I’m here. I love you so much.” Victoria was well composed, considering all things.

  Kneeling beside the bed, she held his hand in hers while Downes and I stood and watched. Downes explained why he wasn’t able to give Kenton another shot for a few hours, and how it might cause heart stress or a heart attack. Kenton’s breathing was noisy and labored, as if his lungs were full of water. The shot Downes gave earlier had clearly worn off, leaving him no means of medicinal assistance. As Kenton opened his tired eyes and smiled, Victoria leaned into him and kissed his forehead.

  “You know,” she paused and looked toward Downes and me.

  Kenton raised his hand and wiggled his fingers. I walked to the opposite side of the bed and lowered my hand to meet his. Slowly, his fingers wrapped around mine as he gripped my hand lightly in his. I found it difficult to see Kenton this way, and made a conscious effort not to look into his eyes. As I stared across the bed at Victoria, she smiled and continued speaking.

  “You’re not just a friend to me. You haven’t been since that night out on the deck when I asked you to stand up for me as my father. On that night it kind of began, I don’t know. It’s tough to explain,” she paused again and looked into Kenton’s eyes.

  Kenton half-smiled and blinked his watering eyes. As Victoria began to speak again, he closed his eyes. It was as if her words provided him a certain comfort – an escape from the pain.

  “But to me, the day of the wedding it all changed. It all came together,” she began to cry lightly.

  “Now. Right now? Kenton Ward,” She paused again and wiped her tears.

  “You’re my father. I want you to know that,” she leaned over him and kissed his forehead again.

  As Kenton squeezed our hands simultaneously, his eyes still closed, he fought to develop a smile on his face.

  In a dull whisper, he responded, “And you’re my daughter.”

  Kenton coughed twice, slowly opened his eyes and whispered, “Until the bitter end.”

  The grip on my hand slowly loosened.

  His eyes closed one last time.

  And he passed away.

  PARKER. The time which followed Kenton’s death was nothing short of a blur. The arrival of the ambulance, removal of the body from the home, all of the discussions…everything would become hazy when I attempted to think of it.

  So, I’ve chosen not to think of it. Since Kenton’s death, neither Victoria nor I have returned to the mansion. Downes has kept somewhat to himself after the death, which is what I would have expected. His relationship with Kenton was very unique. They had developed a bond over the years that couldn’t be questioned.

  The funeral service arrived before I was mentally ready, but I don’t know that we ever actually become truly prepared. As I sat in the funeral home, looking at a casket I knew was empty, I reserved a little hope that this was all a joke; and Kenton run into the room, waving his putter and laughing. Regretfully, this never happened.

  Considering Kenton’s life of solitude, I was pleasantly surprised to see roughly one hundred people at the service. With Downes seated at my side, I looked up toward the lectern where Victoria stood. Her strength and devotion caused me to swell with pride.

  In the black dress she had carefully chosen, and her blonde hair in a bun, she looked magnificent. Kenton would be proud of her insistence to provide the eulogy. It seemed as she’d been standing there for some time, but in actuality, it had only been a matter of seconds. As I blinked my eyes and looked around the room, she cleared her throat and began to speak.

  “Kenton Ward was a man amongst men. He was an unselfish man, and gave far more than he ever took. One day at his home, after the passing of my mother, I stood on the back deck and stared out at the ocean, hoping for some sort of answer as to why she had passed away.”

  “As I stared out into the water, a whiff of the beach filled my nostrils. I’ve always looked at natural aromas such as the beach as being a gift from God – his proof to us of his existence. When we attempt to inhale them eagerly, as I often do, they disappear. Well, on this particular day, at least initially, the scent came naturally. As I always seem to do, I inhaled sharply and lost the smell.”

  “I stood and continued to stare at the ocean, aggravated for some time, hoping for it to return. It wouldn’t. Angry, I lashed out at my now husband and Kenton, mentally blaming them for my having lost the smell. Standing there with my nostrils filled with the smell of the beach, I had developed a manner of accepting my mother’s death; and I wanted to the scent to return. A confirmation from God, if you will, that everything was going to be okay.”

  “Shortly, Kenton must have sensed something was wrong. He could do that, you know. He was a wise man with so much advice and such an ability to provide comfort. He stood to give me a hug, attempting to comfort me. As he held me in his arms, I became filled with a different emotion – one of love and acceptance. You see, Kenton accepted me for all that I am; my strengths and weaknesses, my shortcomings, even my foul mouth. He didn’t care. He loved me none the less.”

  “As he held me in his arms, he told me he loved me, and I settled down. In having that conformation of his love, nothing else really mattered. He continued to hold me for an amount of time I can’t even come close to describing. Rocking back and forth on his heels, it was as if he were rocking a baby to sleep. And naturally, the scent returned. In my mind, it was God telling me everything would be alright.”

  “I’ve never had a father. Well, I had a father, but he died immediately following my birth. So, from birth to present, I have not had a father in my life. Not until I met Kenton. Recently, after my boyfriend proposed to me, and we were beginning to plan the wedding, I went to Kenton’s home. Kenton and I were standing on the back deck, facing the ocean. It was a common place for us to talk. I had some things I needed to ask him, and I was trying to develop the courage to do so. Prior to asking him, once again, I naturally smelled the beach, and the scent all but immediately vanished. Nervously, I asked if he’d consider giving me away at the wedding. He graciously accepted. It didn’t really surprise me, considering Kenton was Kenton. He was a giver. I had one more question to ask,” she paused as he voice stammered and wiped the tears from her cheek.

  “When a man and a woman get married, and the preacher asks who gives this woman to be married?” she paused and wiped her eyes again.


  “I wanted to know if Kenton would respond her father. I wanted him to give that to me. To not only give me away, but for one day, my wedding day, to actually become my father.”she paused, bent at the waist, and raised both hands to her face.

  After a momentary pause, she stood and lowered her hands to her side, “When I asked him if he’d stand beside me and respond, her father, as if he were my father…I gripped the handrail of the deck, stared out at the ocean, and waited. At the same moment that he responded, the scent of the beach returned. I knew at that moment, I knew – everything was going to be alright. He said yes by the way. You see, Kenton Ward gave me what I have yearned to have for my entire life. Kenton Ward became my father. A father I never had,” she paused and wiped her eyes again.

  She sniffed lightly and continued, “Kenton will be missed. By all, I am certain. But for me? For me? Every time the scent of the beach fills my nostrils, and it happens naturally, as if God provided it…I’ll know Kenton has returned,” she paused and wiped the tears with the back of her hand.

  As her hands cleared her face, she concluded, “just to stop in and tell his daughter he loves her.”

  As I wiped the tears from my eyes, I glanced around the room and watched as everyone else did the same.

  After the service, as we were leaving, I saw a familiar face. Standing by the door stood Hec Astur. I hadn’t seen him since the first day I met Kenton. His green eyes glistened as he smiled and extended his hand.

  “Downes, Parker, and you must be Victoria,” he said as he gently shook all of our hands.

  As he shook Victoria’s hand he smiled, “Hec Astur, pleasure to finally meet you.”

  As he released her hand, he nodded his head toward Victoria, “Kenton will be missed for sure. Touching eulogy, I must say. Brought tears to my eyes.”

  Hec smiled, “Crying is God’s way of cleansing our souls.”

  “So, thank you. I needed it,” he nodded his head once toward Victoria.

  “Parker, I need you to stop in and see me. Tomorrow if possible,” he raised his eyebrows and waited for a response.

  “Alright. I’ll do that,” I responded.

  “You remember where?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  Hec turned to Victoria and lifted his chin slightly, “Again. Victoria, thank you, it was so very touching. As sure as I’m standing here, Kenton’s looking down you now, proud as a peacock.”

  He smiled, and turned away.

  “Who was that?” Victoria asked.

  “A friend of the family,” Downes quickly responded.

  As we turned toward the door, Downes winked. It was nice seeing him slowly return to normal. I’m sure it would take some time for all of us to return to a routine state. Kenton was a powerful man. As we walked toward the B7, Downes turned toward Victoria and me.

  “Peach tea on the deck?” Downes asked.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” Victoria responded.

  PARKER. Sitting in the same seat I sat in waiting for our first meeting, I sat waited to see Hec. I smiled at the thought of one of Kenton’s first questions to me. I waited almost a week to come to the office, but considering all things and the recent changes in my life, I felt it was the soonest I could break away.

  “Are you a risk taker, Mr. Bale?”

  I wouldn’t consider myself a risk taker, but on that particular day I became one. I took a risk, and the reward will remain with me for a lifetime. Kenton may be gone from this earth, but his memories will fill my heart and my mind for all of eternity. Or, in the words of Kenton Ward, until the bitter end. The sound of shoes began to echo throughout the hallway. I looked up and to my left as the sound became sharper.

  Lisa.

  I stood and smiled.

  “Mr. Bale,” she extended her hand.

  I lightly accepted her hand, “Lisa. Pleasure to see you again.”

  “I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Bale. I truly am,” she whispered.

  “Thank you. He will be missed for sure,” I responded as I released her hand.

  “Mr. Astur is waiting. Follow me?” she asked as she turned away.

  “Certainly,’ I responed.

  As we walked past the door of the conference room, I peered in. The table where we first met sat empty. I paused, staring at the table, and smiled. For a fleeting moment, I stood and stared. As I heard Lisa’s footsteps continue, the sound of Kenton’s voice filled my mind.

  “Drinking water from a bottle is akin to eating beans from a can, cereal from a box, peanut butter from a jar, or drinking wine from a bottle. A beverage is contained in a bottle for shipping and storage. It should remain in the bottle until it is poured into a glass, at which time it could be enjoyed. Do you drink your wine from a bottle, Mr. Bale?”

  I stared into the room and mouthed the words.

  “No sir.”

  “Mr. Bale?” Lisa’s voice brought me out of the trancelike state I was in.

  I turned to face her. At the end of the hall, she stood in front of a large wooden door.

  “You’ll be meeting in this room. Mr. Astur’s office,” she smiled.

  Slowly, I walked to her side and stopped. As she opened the door, Mr. Astur stood from behind his desk and smiled, “Parker. Please, come in.”

  “Lisa, close the door behind you if you will,” he said as he motioned toward the door.

  “Nice seeing you, Mr. Bale,” Lisa nodded.

  “Likewise,” I responded as I walked into the office.

  “I’ll make this brief, Parker. Well, as brief as possible. Would you like a drink?” he asked as he walked around the corner of his desk.

  “Yes. Water,” I paused and smiled, “In a glass please.”

  Hec smiled and shook my hand, “Please sit down, Parker.”

  I sat in a chair positioned in front of Hec’s desk. The office was very large and obviously in the corner of the building. Both walls were constructed of glass, and looked out over the city of San Diego. A large desk sat at one side of the office, and behind it wooden cabinetry – which I assumed contained legal documents or books. On the other side of the room, a massive library of books, and a glass display case filled with various treasures.

  As he walked past, he handed me a glass of water and a coaster. I took a sip of the water and placed the glass on the table beside me and crossed my legs. As Hec walked back to behind his desk, I smiled and waited patiently to see why this meeting was called. He crossed his legs as he sat and placed his elbows on the desk. His face somewhat sullen, he lowered his chin into his hand, and looked down at the desk.

  “I have no way of knowing, so I must ask, Parker,” he looked up from the desk and hesitated.

  “Did Kenton explain to you the reasoning behind his seeking to employ you?”

  I nodded my head slowly, “Yes sir.”

  His chin still resting in his hands, he nodded his head.

  “Did he further explain his relationship with Victoria?” he asked.

  “Yes sir, he did,” I responded.

  “Well, the fact he did will allow this to come a little easier for me, I suppose. It goes without saying, I’m sorry for your loss. I feel it as well, and I will for some time. Kenton was a great man and a damned fine friend. A difficult man for most to get to know, but for those he chose to let into his life,” he paused and smiled.

  “We’re truly blessed, aren’t we?”

  I nodded my head, “Yes sir, we are.”

  “Now, down to the brass tacks, Parker. You don’t mind my addressing you as Parker, do you? I should have asked,” his eyes widened slightly.

  “Parker is fine, yes sir.”

  “Very well,” he tilted his head to the side and rolled his eyes.

  “You know, that damned Downes says that all the time. Very well. And he got Kenton to saying it, and now I say it all the damned time,” he smiled and stood from the chair.

  He walked toward the window on the right side of his desk and looked out over the city. His cautionary
proceeding with the meeting was making me somewhat nervous. I attempted to think of other surprises or hidden facts which Kenton may have forgotten, but couldn’t conjure up any sensible scenarios. As my mind drifted from the room we were sitting in, Hec’s voice brought me back to reality.

  “You entered Kenton’s life, and from what he shared with me, you changed him into a better man. One evening here, before he modified his will, he told me what pleasure he received from your visits. He went on to say he tried his best to provide you with advice, and guide you in living life, but that you needed so little. He found tremendous value in getting to know you, Parker,” he turned from facing the window and pushed his hands into his pockets.

  “Another evening, several months ago, he told me of a morning you two shared at his home. He was practicing putting, if I remember correctly. He told me he viewed you as a son he never had. He had become quite fond of you. He admired you, Parker,” he pulled his right hand from his pocket and pointed my direction as he spoke.

  “As you might have expected, Mr. Ward left a will. A very detailed will. And on that night, he changed it. Parker, life for you is going to change significantly,” he paused and looked toward the display case.

  “Everything, and I do mean everything. He left everything to you. There are conditions, Parker. But the estate, the wealth, the cars, all of the belongings, his investments, his company, everything. It’s all yours,” he began to walk toward the case.

  I went numb. He continued to speak, but not a word was legible. In a matter of seconds, as Hec placed an ornate wooden box on his desk I began to regain my composure.

  “This box contains Kenton’s remains. You’re aware he was cremated?” he asked.

  I nodded and attempted to swallow.

  “One. You scatter his remains in the ocean behind the estate.”

  “Two. You must keep the estate. It’s yours, but only if you keep it. You may eventually choose to reside in another residence, or choose to move to another state, but the estate is only to be occupied by you and your family – and will always be your home,” he paused and rubbed his chin in his hand.