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and stared into Chris's eyes. Chris stared back, straightening his spine with importance when he recognized the seriousness in his father's gaze. They'd had these talks before. Man talk. Important stuff. Chris idolized his father. Whatever Brian McCall said must be the truth. How could it be anything else when Dad said it was so? |
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"I hope someday, Chris, you'll find a woman just like your mother." He threw a grin over his shoulder to his wife, who smiled back, her eyes moist with love for them both. Brian turned to his son with a wink. Marianne's penchant for happy tears was a source of amusement for both of them. He continued, "Someone who can make your life as full as mine. Nowadays, you might start to believe marriage is a thing of the past. But don't. Always remember what we have here and don't settle for anything less." |
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"I won't, Dad. I promise." |
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An hour later the three of them sat inside the darkened theater, Chris between his parents, their arms resting along the back of his seat as they held hands. It was his best birthday ever. |
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When the movie ended they walked down the quiet streets of Lakeview toward the pizza parlor. Being a Wednesday night, most people had gone home in preparation for another workday. But tonight the McCalls celebrated, and bedtime could wait another hour. |
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Chris skipped ahead of his parents, humming the theme from Star Wars loud and off key. His parents laughed and held hands, strolling along behind him. The lights of the pizza parlor beckoned at the |
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