If only Dad could be here...330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfcyISw28T
By Edith Patterson Hill, Rockford, Illinois330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HxtMTgPyy
My father was a keen observer of human nature. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxofJlMKR0A
Within seconds of meeting someone, he could summarize their 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Gj8emtXg
strengths and weaknesses. It was always a challenge to see if any of my ,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQelY6O7E1Z
boyfriends would pass the paternity test. No one did. Dad was always right - they didn't pass my test either. When Father died, I wondered how to figure it out myself. Then Jack arrived. He was different than any other man I had met. He could sit at the piano bench with my mother for , hours and discuss , obscure composers. My brother Rick loudly announced to that Jack was no turkey like the other boys I brought home. My sister Denise used to laugh with her about the old 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp9hSXstex
Danny Kaye movies. And Jack was great with my mentally challenged brother 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR81t8R1yV
Chuck. At one point, Chuck put his greasy hands, fresh off a cheeseburger, on 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaF1Tj4fQ5
Jack's shoulders, kissed his cheek with ketchup-coated lips, and called him by the wrong name, exclaiming, "Ah, Jeff, I love ya. !" Jack didn't miss it. you, George!" 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrIx3fn4B1
Jack passed my family test. What about Dad? Then came the weekend of my mother's birthday. Jack came from his home in Milwaukee to Chicago. On the day he had to drive, I got a call: "Don't worry," he said, "but I was in an accident." His car had suspended; when he stopped, another car hit. "I'm fine, but you have to come to me." Thank God she's fine, I thought as I drove to Milwaukee. When we got there, we rushed to flower shop to get something for mom. "What about gardenias?" Jack said showing a beautiful white bodice. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwJJa48FjL
"You never see them this time of year," I said. Flower shop put a corsage in a box.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6di5jd2FN4
During the trip, Jack was unusually calm. "Are you 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlA2jroIeW
right?" I asked. We drove to my mother's street. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82lErrzKNk
"I've been thinking a lot," he said. "I might be in the 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdEDuu2Iwv
movement." Moving? When did he tell me that? When did he pack ? 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAj2Z7E55x
Then he added: "Moreover, to you." I almost put the car on the pavement. "What?" I asked. "I think we should get married," he said. He told me that he was planning a great restaurant, but after 's accident, he decided to do it now. "Yes," I whispered 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ldx6DxjRC
. We both sat speechless, tears streaming down our cheeks, unable to speak. I have never felt such a tender moment. If only Dad was here to give the final approval. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Nb4jLBLP
"Oh, let's just go in," Jack said with a laugh. We got out of the car and he walked down the driveway carrying the Corsa. My mother opened the door. "Happy birthday!" we shouted. Jack pushed the box towards him. He opened it. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VWeWgrcjy
Suddenly his eyes filled with tears. Jack and I looked at each other . "Mom, what's wrong?" I asked. "I'm sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "This is only the 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw1q5SzC2P
th gardenia corsilla I have ever received. I received years ago, long before I had children." "By whom?" I asked. "Your father," said mother. "He gave me one right before # when we got engaged." My eyes locked on Jack as I blinked back 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd1L5sqf4l
tears. Dad's test? I knew Jack had passed.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzldTUf5hac
