This story, as is all stories, isn't written for everyone. If you enjoyed it, thank you very much and you're welcome. If not, thank you for visiting.
*****
My dad lives alone. The house, the one we all grew up in, is very nice and very low maintenance so it's easy to take care of. He has someone come in for cleaning. He cooks himself and goes out to eat a lot. He has a number of hobbies and interests and golfs and stays pretty busy. We don't worry about him.
Gavin and I have two kids. One of each. The younger one has a birthday coming up and we try to have at least one birthday at dad's each year so we're having this one there. A little party and gifts for the kids. For Gavin and my birthdays we just have a get together but dad always gets us gifts. For dad's last birthday he bought himself a new pickup and wouldn't let us get him anything. We did anyway and so did the kids. Dad is 68 years old.
The birthday party went great as usual. We had it outside where we could let the kids get crazy but not that crazy. Gavin drove over from work so when the party was over and the afternoon wore on he took the kids on home and I stayed and helped dad straighten up. It didn't take all that long. We settled in a couple of lawn chairs with a small glass of wine. We talked about family and some of his hobbies and a trip he might take to see his brother and other stuff. He was quiet for a few moments, thinking I think.
"Abigail," he said. "I want to ask you something. When the kids are in school and you're not that busy with other stuff if you might think about coming over. Spend an hour or two or three. I thought we might do what we're doing now, have some wine. We could hold hands. Tease each other. See how we like it."
I was smiling but not horribly. I kept my eyes bright. I was desperately trying not to offend dad. That came right out of the blue. I couldn't get my head past 'tease each other'. Everything else I could handle.
I said, "I think it's going to take me a little time to consider that."
It was a delaying thing to say. I still didn't quite get it. I was looking for the funny. I was thinking he was putting me on for some reason. I'm his daughter, married, with two kids. I'm 34 years old.
"Of course," he said. "I understand. I appreciate you considering it. It's not part of a bucket list or anything like that. I'm not in poor health and there's nothing going on I know about. I was thinking of what I wanted, now and the coming years, and you popped up in my head and, well. I thought you deserved me asking."
"What prompted you," I said. "Don't you think that's a little out of the ball park? I don't know quite how to receive that. I'm flattered, but, I don't know."
"I was thinking I wouldn't mind having some personal memories of you for the years I have left, which I hope are a great many," he said. "You can't imagine what I went through to convince myself to bring it up. I think it would be thrilling and I guess I hoped you might too. If you would think about it. We don't have to talk about it again, just let it go. Anyway, I'm proud I asked. Knowing you know I care about you that way, that much, would be enough for me I guess."
I was withdrawn the rest of the day. Maybe a little dazed but I finally called him.
I said, "I'm thinking about it. Stop worrying yourself sick. Bye."
I hung up and left it at that. I didn't want to talk about it anymore. Not today. I thought about it half the night. In the scheme of things I thought I might be able to give him something he could think about and enjoy. I didn't know what but at least it was a direction. 'Tease each other' breaks the sex barrier. Dad got reasonably specific with those three words. I wasn't going to let my own dad get in my pants, much less me in his.
***
On Saturday morning I called dad. I said, "Hi. How about if I stop by Monday morning about 11:30? My morning run should be over by then. I can take a shower there. Another day is fine if you have plans."
"No plans," he said. "Monday at 11:30 is fine."
By Sunday night I had a little bag ready with a plastic container with my kind of soap, a small plastic container of my kind of shampoo, extra underwear and socks. I hid it behind the toilet tissue in the bathroom. I knew where this thing with dad wasn't going to go. It wasn't going to start a problem in my family. If it wasn't needed then ok, but if it was I was ready. Now I could stop thinking about it every second of every day. I was starting to scheme and it was becoming slightly fun.
Our old house is only ten minutes away and only five from the gym. Dad was in summer shorts and a top. He lived in summer shorts since he retired. I was about the same but exercise shorts for movement. I rang the doorbell and went in like I always did. We quick kissed and chatted and had some cold water for me and dad usually had ice tea or coffee. I had my little bag with me.
"I thought I could have my shower and we could talk," I said. "Would that be ok? I'm not in any particularly hurry."
"Sure," he said. "Anything you need?"
"You," I said. "I thought you might like to have a shower with me."