Page 69 of Finding Parker

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.