A few days later, Josh told me that another family gathering was being discussed.
It would be smaller than the reunion.
Just lunch at the farm.
Some relatives wanted to get together before the weather changed.
I listened while Josh explained the plan.
Then he mentioned that Cindy would probably be there.
I knew that was coming.
He asked whether I wanted to attend.
I thought about Dad.
I thought about the dock.
I thought about how easily one careless act had changed the entire afternoon.
Then I thought about Dad sitting beneath the trees in Springfield.
I didn't want the pond to become the only place he remembered when someone mentioned the farm.
I told Josh I was willing to go.
But I wanted to make sure Dad felt comfortable.
Josh agreed.
The following evening, I called Dad.
I told him about the gathering.
He listened.
Then he asked who would be there.
I named the relatives I knew were coming.
I also told him Cindy would probably attend.
There was a pause.
Then Dad said he would go.
I asked whether he was sure.
He said yes.
He didn't want to avoid everyone because of one incident.
I smiled.
That sounded like him.
He said he would bring something to eat.
I told him not to worry about bringing anything.
He laughed.
He said he would decide later.
The next day, Josh spoke with Cindy again.
He told her Dad might attend.
She didn't object.
She simply said she hoped everyone could enjoy the afternoon.
Josh told me that evening.
I asked whether she had said anything else.
He shook his head.
"Not really."
I didn't press him.
I wasn't expecting a perfect reconciliation.
I only wanted the next gathering to be different.
The day before the lunch, Dad called.
He asked whether he should bring his own chair.
I told him there would be enough chairs.
He asked whether the dock was still being used.
I said I didn't know.
He paused.
Then he said he wouldn't go near the water.
I felt something tighten in my chest.
He shouldn't have had to think about that.
But I understood why he did.
I told him he could stay wherever he felt comfortable.
He said he would.
On the morning of the gathering, I got ready early.
I wore a simple dress.
Josh carried a container of food to the car.
Dad arrived a little later.
He was wearing a clean shirt and his new hearing aids.
I hugged him.
He smiled.
"Ready?"
I nodded.
We drove to the farm together.
The road looked familiar.
The same trees.
The same fields.
The same entrance.
When we arrived, several relatives were already outside.
Someone waved.
Josh parked near the house.
Dad got out slowly.
He looked toward the yard.
Then he smiled at one of his old relatives.
They greeted each other warmly.
I stood nearby.
For a moment, everything felt ordinary.
Then I saw Cindy near the picnic tables.
She was speaking with another woman.
She noticed us.
She stopped talking.
Then she looked toward Dad.
I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
Josh moved closer to me.
He didn't say anything.
Dad walked toward the relatives who had greeted him.
He wasn't hiding.
He wasn't rushing away.
He simply joined the conversation.
I watched him for a moment.
Then I looked toward the dock.
It was still there.
The water was still brown.
But Dad wasn't standing near it.
He was talking with people he loved.
And that was where he wanted to be.
Click here to continue reading: PART 20: When the Family Finally Gathered Again, I Understood That the Money Was Gone, but the Most Important Thing Had Never Been Lost
The Afternoon Everyone Watched My Father Fall Into the Water, and Nobody Knew What to Say
Part 19 of 20
