Page 39 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Chapter Six

Mike and his wife are friends my parents met through the
cattle business. We have visited their ranch outside of Calgary
many times. Sometimes even for dinner. I love the noodle
casseroles his wife makes. That’s the best thing about going to
their place. They come to our ranch often too.
They have three kids, two girls and one boy. They are a
lot older than Vian and me but we both like their youngest
daughter, Deanna. She is a teenager! She will happily entertain
us up in her bedroom while our parents talk about buying,
selling and breeding cattle. BORING!
But now, on this crazy day that makes no sense at all, I
remember Daddy’s words about Deanna’s father, Mike. I knew
Daddy had been drinking alcohol, but I was still shocked when
he slurred, “Mommy doesn’t love me anymore. I know she loves
Mike. She’s with him right now. That’s why she’s in Calgary.
Your mother doesn’t love me anymore.”
I didn’t know what to say to him. His words were so hard to
understand. “Don’t cry, Daddy,” I tried my best to console him.
“I am sure you’re just imagining this.”
Maybe. Maybe not. There was a tiny place deep inside of
me that believed him. And I had good reason. One time, Mike
and his wife had stayed over at our house. When they were
leaving, Mike went back inside to fetch something from the
guestroom. Mommy went back too, to help him. I’m not sure
why but I followed them in (they didn’t see me). And I saw
them embracing. Not just friendly hugging. Really embracing,
like actors in the movies.
But that was then, and this is now and who really knows
the truth? The road keeps rumbling underneath us, as we chew
up mile after mile.
Poor Daddy. What if he was right?
Then I think about my mother and what she once confessed
to me.

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