Charles stops chuckling and asks, “Are you serious? You offered for me to live in your own home and we had never met. Now you’re doing the same for someone you haven’t met, being referred by someone you haven’t met.”
I tell Charles, “You do come very highly spoken of, and Reese really respects you. I believe that respect was earned not simply given to you. She is someone who I trust with my family. If she trusts you, whoever you trust has earned that too. So yes I am serious.”
Charles says seriously, “Mitch has been sleeping on my couch the last few months. Other than a few nightmares he’s pretty much okay. He does suffer from posttraumatic stress syndrome, and he lost both his legs in Afghanistan.”
I say, “Well bring Mitch along it solves two problems, it gives Mitch a place to stay and then gives him an income so he can maintain a lifestyle he deserves.”
Charles replies, “I hope Mitch can accept that, I worry about him. He’s a very good man and he saved my life at least twice. He knows Ron and Reese, he also knew Sam’s parents. Sam’s Dad saved his life once, before he saved mine. I’ll do my best to repay that debt to him.” I hear Charles put his heart in his statement.
I tell Charles, “We’ll do our best to help him. Hopefully we can show how he can make money and use it to help others something I’m pretty sure he would love to do.”
Charles laughs then says, “You’re either psychic, or an optimist. You’re right about Mitch loving to help others.”
I say, “We’ll make sure Mitch understands that our help means in some way he pays it forward, even though I think he’s done enough to earn it. Have a Happy New Year, and I will see you two days after. I’ll meet you then, be at the airport at 9 o’clock on the third to check-in.”
Charles gives his insurances that he will be there with his family, and will try his hardest to get Mitch to accept our offer. Then he wishes me a Happy New Year.
Kathryn and I settle in and watch some TV, there showing Christmas movies and Sam settled on my lap as we watch. It doesn’t take long and most of the family comes in and joins us, Daniel and Kara have left for his parents and we don’t expect to see them for a week. Mom made popcorn and brings three large bowls that we share from.
Another one of those lifetime moments occurs as Kathryn leans against my shoulder with my arm around her, Sam is leaning against my chest with her head on Kathryn. I don’t even want to take a deep breath for fear of moving the two. That image of the moment Mom captures of us sitting there Sam with a bowl of popcorn on her lap as her and Kathryn are munching on it. I have it printed out, when school begins again I will put it in my locker, I carry a wallet size of it too. It happened while we were watching it’s a wonderful life, and that’s what I think every time I see that picture how wonderful my life is with my two girls and my big family.
The time off from school is passing too quickly, and we’re home most of the time just enjoying being together.
On New Year’s Day we have a big family gathering plan to watch the parades and have a large lunch together. Kathryn and I go grocery shopping the day before New Year’s Eve. We buy most of the traditional foods you eat on New Year’s for this part of the country. While we were at the grocery store I get a text from Joan asking us to pick up the ingredients for tamales.
Kathryn reading the text grins and says, “I love tamales, remember when we got them in San Antonio.”
With a chuckle I say, “Those were pretty good but just wait till you taste Alyssa’s.”
Kathryn still smiles and says, “If they are like any of Alyssa’s other dishes they’re going to be something really great.”
I say, “She doesn’t make them very often and I’ve only had them once but they were outstanding.”
Kathryn giggles and says, “I guess I can get her to show me how to make them.”
I chuckle as I say, “That’s the whole point with those, because the whole family makes them.”
We’re fortunate to find all the ingredients at a local grocers, and I buy enough ingredients to make a hundred and twenty and I wonder if that will be enough. With all the other food I’m sure we should have enough. Anyway I’m sure they won’t last more than a day even if we do have leftovers. Not when Johnny and I can each eat a dozen at a time.
After picking up several other ingredients for the New Year’s feast Kathryn and I head home. Sam meets is at the door, she looks a little annoyed because we didn’t get her up from her nap. Sam decided that I need protected and she is determined to be my protector. Sam looks so cute with that look on her face and her hands on her hips. I can’t help but pick her up and begin to kiss her on the neck that causes her to giggle.
After a minute or so Sam makes me let her down and she runs to the restroom. When she returns she tells me, “Daddy, I love you but you made me mad. How can I keep you out of trouble if you leave me at home?”
Sam does have a point, I know she doesn’t see herself as a small girl, and she’s far more capable than most girls three or four years older than her. In many ways Sam is more capable than many adults, she’s very skilled at martial arts and her size isn’t too much of a disadvantage because of the techniques I taught her.
How do I explain to Sam in such a way not to hurt her feelings or belittle her? Pondering that for a moment before I speak, “I love you Sam, I’m your Daddy and it’s my job to always look out for you. I know you love me, and want to make sure I’m safe. I love that about you.”
Sam smiles brightly then interrupts me, “Daddy I gotta keep you out of trouble. If I don’t who’s going to?”
I look to Kathryn who is trying to keep from laughing out loud, she shaking so hard her pregnant belly bounces and I know Amanda will start kicking any second. I playfully say, “Well Sam your Mom for one, but I’ll do what I can to make sure I stay out of trouble too.”
From the expression on Sam’s face I can tell her mind is working fast as she comes up with her counter argument. Looking into my eyes Sam says, “Mommy and you need help doing that, that’s where I come in.”
Kathryn can no longer contain her laughter; Sam confuses Kathryn’s laughter and is uncertain of how to react. Kathryn bringing herself under control finally says, “Sam thank you for helping keep your Daddy in line.”
Maybe I’m a little frustrated but I try to keep my voice pleasant as I say, “Whenever there’s something going to threaten either of you you’ll find me between it and you. After all I think it’s my job.”
Now giggling along with Kathryn Sam says, “Silly Daddy we know that, we just got to make sure there’s no trouble to start with.”
The images that go through my mind some aren’t that pleasant. I wonder if Sam had kept me out of trouble at the pizzeria, if I hadn’t stopped those two men how many more people would they had killed? Sometimes being safe is not good for others, the ones you save who would otherwise have died.
The two murderers had the video surveillance of the previous restaurants in their vehicle. They had walked through and killed every person in the restaurants before stopping the video tapes. The district attorney decided to try them on the murder cases and leave the attempted armed robbery off. There was more than enough evidence to convict the two. Of course the district attorney was seeking the death penalty because of so many murders the two had committed.
Sam gets my attention again and she pulls me into a hug and gives me a kiss on my cheek. Sam says with bright eyes that sparkle like fiery green emeralds, “I love you Daddy.”
It’s then that I noticed that Sam’s eyes are green. When I first saw Sam her eyes had been brown. I realize Sam has the same trait of Hazel eyes that change colors depending on her mood. That was a hard time for Sam right then, it was no wonder she was upset having gone through all that. These are the same eyes that Kathryn shares, looking into Sam’s beautiful eyes I say, “Sam I see you have your Mommy’s beautiful eyes.” That gets Kathryn’s attention and she takes a deep breath noticing Sam’s eyes are green.
Sam asks, “What do you mean Daddy?”
Walking over to a mirror near the door I pull Kathryn close so Sam and Kathryn can look into each other’s eyes as well as their own. I tell Sam, “Sam look how beautiful and how green you’re eyes are. Look at your Mommy’s eyes and see how green they are. Aren’t they just like yours?”
I’m looking into the two most beautiful sets of green eyes I’ve ever seen when I look into their faces. Kathryn has a few tears of joy, realizing Sam’s pain had caused her eyes to be brown for so long and now that pain has finally left. I explain to Sam, “Sam you have the same type of Hazel eyes as Kathryn. When your Mommy is happy, her eyes are very green like they are right now. When you’re happy you’re eyes turn green too. Aren’t you very happy right now Sam?”
Sam looking into Kathryn’s eyes then back into her own eyes. A bright smile on Sam’s face replaces the briefest moment of confusion. Sam really can’t speak at the moment and she just starts to continually kiss each of us turning back and forth kissing Kathryn and me.
Kathryn takes Sam and I begin to bring in groceries. Sam and Kathryn are placing the groceries away and each trip I kiss one or the other and get a giggle in return. It isn’t long before I’m bringing the last of the groceries and begin to help them finish storing the groceries away.
After bending over and straightening up Kathryn has a funny expression then unexpectedly runs to the bathroom. I follow because I fear she may be having a relapse of morning sickness. But at the door I can hear Kathryn is relieving herself, walking in with an amused look on my face I asked, “Amanda push someplace uncomfortable?”
Kathryn with a giggle says, “I guess she wanted a little more room and pushed on my bladder.”
Allow my hand rub Kathryn’s pregnant and extended belly before I say, “Don’t be in a hurry for more room little girl, I’ll get to see you soon enough.” Kathryn giggles at that and nods her head.
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