Dad had only just celebrated his elder birthday, and was still relatively young and virile, but I remained cautiously aware of his situation changing daily. He complained about his back more and ran less. But even if his age weren’t a factor, his interest in athletic pursuits was not nearly as high as mine. Still, I didn’t want him to miss an opportunity and asked if he felt like jogging around the Aboretum in Gilbert Gardens. Inviting him on my excursions was weird sometimes because I didn’t want to make him feel obligated, and this adventure would be a long one. I probably should have worded the question better, though, because he gave me the deepest of side eye.
“Let me get dressed,” he said.
That was the exact situation he didn’t want back when we were talking about me living with him. He didn’t want a babysitter, and I didn’t want to be one. But sometimes I felt like I had to. Hopefully, as we both got used to this transition he was going through, I could find balance.
The weather was gorgeous. It was warm, partly cloudy, and the perfect day for a run in a serene location. I had seen bits of the trail here and there and was curious about how long was the whole thing. Between not knowing and being conscious of Dad, I paced myself and made sure we took breaks. Those made perfect opportunities for us to stretch and stay hydrated.
At the end of the trail, we sat at one of the many picnic tables in the area across the street from the rec center. Dad asked if I had talked to Sophia yet, and I told him I had hung out with her yesterday.
“Oh! So that’s where you were all day. Good for you. So, how do you feel?”
I felt a lot of things, heh. At some point, I’d need to talk to him about that bit of fear that wouldn’t go away, but I didn’t feel like it was the time or place for a deep, personal conversation.
“I can’t wait to see her again.”
He smiled.
“I’m happy for you.”
Our neighbor Eleanor, Chi Chi’s mother-in-law, spotted us and came over to say hello.
“I see you boys have discovered the best spot in San Sequoia. How are you enjoying the city so far?”
“It’s great,” Dad said.
“I grew up here, you know. My family had a tiny little place out in Hopewell Hills back when it was just called ‘the hills.'”
She talked about how her family had helped to revitalize the area and rebrand it as a nice little suburban area to raise a family. Over time, however, the yuppies who moved to the neighborhood were better off financially, which subsequently changed the vibe and reputation, undoing everything her family had worked so hard to create.
“Do you have other children?” she asked.
“A daughter. She’s living in Mt. Komorebi for now.”
“Oh! A little adventurer, huh? I love taking care of children. My favorite age is when we can play together, ha ha!”
They spoke about parent stuff for a little while, and I just sat there and observed. She was a little strange to me, but as they spoke, the more I approved of this little friendship brewing. Dad never had many friends, and he definitely closed himself off after the divorce. Hopefully, living in this friendly town would change that.
