‘Why? Will you miss me?’ she asked.
I looked at her, considering my response. ‘I guess I’ve gotten used to you,’ I said. Caroline smiled sadly, and I could tell she was struggling not to cry. She extended her hand and we shook. ‘I have to go, sir.’
‘Ben,’ I said.
‘Ben,’ she echoed.
She half turned to leave, then turned back and we hugged awkwardly at first. Then I pulled her tighter against me, so she would not see my tears.
‘Take care, Caroline,’ I said.
She responded, her words muffled somewhat against my skin. Then she turned and climbed into the car. Her parents and Peter waved as they drove off, smiling as if embarking on a grand adventure. But Caroline did not look out.
I watched their car till it disappeared at the end of the road, my hand raised foolishly in farewell.
In an attempt to ignore the sadness I felt, I spent that evening clearing out the attic, busying myself with rearranging old books and bags of baby clothes now too small for either of our children.
It was while I was sorting through old toys that I heard a noise through the baby monitor. Assuming Shane was stirring for a bottle, I went into his room. He was already standing in his cot, his arms gripping the vertical bars, a juvenile prisoner. When he saw me, he raised his arms to be lifted and fell backwards, landing softly on his rump. He giggled once with pleasure, then said, ‘Daddy.’ He seemed to take even himself by surprise and repeated it, clearly, beaming with pride at his achievement.
I picked him up and brought him downstairs for his bottle. I knew Debbie would be waiting. ‘Daddy,’ he repeated, patting the side of my face with his soft fist.
I kissed him lightly on the forehead as he clung to my shirt and found myself smiling.
On such small victories must the future be built.
FB2 document info
Document ID: fbd-30e47e-5fa1-4941-bba5-860f-44ac-757cd1
Document version: 1
Document creation date: 18.03.2013
Created using: calibre 0.9.22, Fiction Book Designer, FictionBook Editor Release 2.6.6 software
Document authors :
Brian McGilloway
About
This file was generated by Lord KiRon's FB2EPUB converter version 1.1.5.0.
(This book might contain copyrighted material, author of the converter bears no responsibility for it's usage)
Этот файл создан при помощи конвертера FB2EPUB версии 1.1.5.0 написанного Lord KiRon.
(Эта книга может содержать материал который защищен авторским правом, автор конвертера не несет ответственности за его использование)
http://www.fb2epub.net
https://code.google.com/p/fb2epub/
Gallows Lane idm-2 Page 24