The day began just as every other day had for the last several months. I would role out of bed walk to the bathroom in my birthday suit and get in the shower just to wake up. After my shower I looked into the mirror and saw a rough beard that needed to be shaved, especially since I was going to the airport to pick up my stepdaughter and her daughter. I had not seen them since they were here for my wife's funeral six months before.
My life had been one of just routine since she had been killed in an auto accident on her way home from work. When my stepdaughter called last week and said she needed to come visit I was looking forward to seeing my six year old granddaughter, Sofia. She was the one bright light shining in my life.
My stepdaughter had just turned 30 years old two weeks ago. Sarah had moved to Denver with her husband, Jack, and Sofia two years earlier. Since they had moved to Colorado we had only seen them about every six months. That was not enough for me. I really missed Sofia. For the first year and a half of her life I got to rock Sofia to sleep almost every night. Her father was not involved in her life. Because of his not being there during that time I did not to trust him. Jack was always very distant towards my wife and me.
Sarah worshiped the ground that Jack walked on. So we had not said anything. However, when Sarah called the other night I could tell that something was going on. She said nothing but I could tell. I had raised Sarah since she was ten years old and we had always been very close.
I finished shaving and got dress and drove to the airport. I arrived an hour early so I found a restaurant and decided to get something to eat since I had not eaten anything since the day before. I had made sure to go to the grocery store so there would be food in the house and Sarah would think that I was doing ok. Actually, since her mother had died I just made it from day to day. Eating only when I got hungry, never having very much just enough to live.
I walked down the concourse to the TSA inspection point just as Sofia and Sarah were coming out into the terminal. Sofia saw me and ran up to me and jumped into my arms and gave me a big hug and a kiss. Sarah put her arms around both of us to hug me. She said, "Thanks Dad, for picking us up."
"Ah, I had nothing else to do," I responded. "How was the flight?"
"It was ok!" Sarah said.
"GPaw," Sofia stated.
"Yea, Honey!"
"The plane ride was great," she said. "I got to sit by the window and look out the whole way. We saw your house!"
"You did!"
"We sure did," Sarah responded.
She looked so sad. "How are things going?" I asked her.
Sarah did not answer. She just said, "Let's get the luggage."
We went to baggage pickup and stood around the carousel until the luggage arrived.
"You guys hungry?" I asked. "I know I am!" I lied.
"Dad, you look like you have lost some weight!" Sarah said.
Before I could answer Sofia said, "I am starved!"
"Ok, we will stop and get something to eat on the way home," I stated.
I grabbed the bags and headed to the car, "Come on." I then answered Sarah, "Yeah, I have lost a little weight lately. I have to eat my own cooking now, you know," I said.
"You are looking pretty good," Sarah stated.
"Thanks!" I stated.
I put their bags into the trunk of the car and we headed out to the local fast food place. When we had our food we headed home. All the way home Sabine and I chatted about nothing but about everything. Sarah just sat in her seat in deep thought. Our eyes met and I started to ask her a question. Sarah shook her head and mouthed, "Not now!"
I shook my head, "Ok!"
Sabine fell asleep in the back seat and I looked over at Sarah and her head was leaning against the window and her eyes were closed. I drove home in silence. It was nice having them home. I felt more alive than I had in along time.
I drove into the drive way before I woke them up. I lived in the country in the middle of an almond orchid. The neighbors were at least an acre away. There was no one close by at all. I had complete privacy. I had plenty of room for visitors. There were four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, dinning room, kitchen, and a family room. There was a large fenced yard with a swimming pool and hot tub in the middle of the back yard. When I was home alone I would walk around the pool and the yard with as little on as possible. That usually meant nothing. However, with company, especially Sarah and Sabine, there I wore a swimming suit.
Sarah's bother and his wife lived in a nearby town about fifty miles away. They would come over a visit every once in awhile. John and Lisa were coming for diner tomorrow. John and Lisa had not had any children yet so Sabine was the only grandchild in the family. Everyone loved her and liked to spoil her. Sabine was going to go home with John and Lisa and spend the night with them. Sarah and I would go pick her up on Saturday. That would give Sarah and I time to talk about whatever her problem was.
"Ok, everyone, we are home so wake up," I said.
Sarah stretched and yawned. Sabine said, "Can I go swimming?"
"Let's get our suitcases in and get settled in first, Honey," Sarah said.
"Ok," Sabine stated.
Sarah and Sabine spent the next few minutes putting things away, well at least Sarah did. Sabine took her suitcase into her room and began pulling out her toys she had not played with since the last time she was here.
I walked by Sabine's room and she had pulled off all her clothes and was putting on her swimming suit. "She had up to her knees when she said, "GPaw, can you help me put this on?"
"Sure, honey!" I responded.
I pulled her suit up her little body and she asked, "Can we go swimming now?"
"Go ask you mother, honey!"
"Mommy, can I go swimming now?"
"If GPaw will go with you," Sarah responded.
We had always told Sabine that she could not go swimming with out an adult. I was already heading down the hallway to my room to put my suit on when Sabine yelled, "GPaw, Mom said if you will go with me!"
"Ok, I am getting dressed! I'll be out in a minute," I stated.
I was standing in my closet just pulling my underwear off when I heard right behind me, "Hurry up, GPaw!"