Bob walked into Dave's office and said, "We've got to do something about Harry."
Dave rolled his eyes, not really wanting to hear it. He was well aware of Harry's problems. Harry had been going downhill since the sudden death of his wife Diana over a year ago. Dave would have bought him out long ago but he had hoped that Harry would pull himself out of it. He needed Harry's genius, the way he was before the accident.
"He should have been finished with the Henderson project a week ago." Bob continued. "I know he is your friend but . . ."
"I'll talk to him," Dave said. "Yeah, yeah, you've said that before."
Bob walked out of the office, leaving Dave to ponder the problem with Harry. Then Dave remembered Lisa, his daughter, and remembered how she had always had a way with Harry. Perhaps Lisa could get through to him. Dave remembered how infatuated with Harry Lisa had been. She was not a kid anymore, she was a full grown woman and wondered if she still had feelings for him.
Lisa, Dave's twenty five-year-old daughter was preparing his dinner for her father when he walked into the kitchen. She enjoyed this once a week chore since he had done so much for her. It was also the only way she could make sure he had a good meal once in a while. Lisa had moved into an apartment upon graduation from College and would start her new job as a second grade teacher at PS 92 in a month.
Dave was awfully quiet through dinner and Lisa wondered what was wrong. She knew that it would do no good to ask. He would tell her when he was ready. After dinner Dave dried the dishes while she washed and still he remained silent. It was driving her nuts, she had never seen him in such a mood. When she started wiping down the counter and stove Dave brought out two snifters and poured brandy.
"Dad, I don't think that's a good idea, I have to drive home you know."
"Honey, I've got a favor to ask of you and I think you're going to need this."
She lay the rag aside. "I think we should take this conversation to the living room," she said, taking the glass from her father. Lisa walked into the living room, sat in a comfortable armchair and waited for her father to begin.
"It's about Harry, Lisa, he still hasn't recovered from Diana's death. It's affecting his work and I would hate for Harry to lose everything. I know you have always gotten along well with him. I would like for you to talk to him see if you can get him to snap out of it." Lisa stared at her father, then took a sip of brandy. "Do you remember what I told you on my eighteenth birthday?"
"Yes, you said that some day you would marry him."
"Yes, and you laughed it off. What if I were to tell you that I was having an affair with him when Diana died."
Dave opened his mouth but said nothing.
"Don't look so shocked daddy. It happens in the best of family's."
Tears began to fall from Lisa's eye's. Dave held out his arms and she rushed to him and let him comfort her. "You don't know how many times I wanted to get it off my chest, daddy. It was a hard secret to keep. At the time Harry shunned me, told me to get out of his life, but I still love him."
Dave held his daughter who was sobbing. "Lisa, you have to go to him and tell him how you feel."
"I'm scared. What if he sends me away again? I can't face that kind of rejection again."
"How did Harry feel about you?"
"He told me he loved me but he could never divorce Diana."
"How could you accept knowing he would never be free?"
"It wasn't like we had a lot of time together. I was pulling a double load at school. He had his work and Diana to think about."
"Then it wouldn't be a good idea for you to talk to him."
"I've been thinking about him a lot lately, maybe it is time."
"If you need to talk later, I'll be here."
"Thanks daddy."
