Okay, Van, stop avoiding reality and get going – to face certain execution from your parents for cussing and hanging up on both of them. She made it halfway across the lawn before the sprinklers came on all around her. She yelped then sprinted through the deluge to the front door. She was soaked through with her shirt clinging to her skin by the time she made the top step. Her father stood at the door with a satisfied look on his face.

“Feel better?” She spluttered as she stood there glaring at her father.

“Immensely.”

“Look Dad, I-“

“It’s your mother you should be apologizing to.” He held out a towel. “She’s been in tears since you hung up on her.”

“Oh.”  And she stood there towel hanging loosely as her eyes fell to the patio floor as shame crept across her gooseflesh, pole axed.

“This isn’t like you, Van.” Her father reached out and touched his daughter, gently pushing on her chin until she raised her head. She looked at him; suddenly the 8 year old girl lost and bruised who had stood on that same porch all those years ago after losing a water gun fight with her brothers. Her father had dried her off and wiped away her tears.

“I Know.” She used the towel to wipe her own tears away and dry her face. At least her hair had escaped the sprinkler, she thought adjust the ball cap.

“I would expect something like this out of Anne>” Who had a long history of hanging up the phone on her mother and most of the rest of her family to boot.

“I know that Dad.”

“Or Tom or Kevin.” He continued.

“Kevin?” Kevin- The favorite son. He who could do no wrong.

“Last Christmas.” He shrugged, looking exasperated.

“Oh? What happened?” She asked as she began trying to towel off.

“Well! He went on a tear-“her father stopped and shook his head, then shook his finger at her.

“You should know- you were there. No you do know- you were standing next to him when he blew.”

“I know Dad, but-“

“You just tried to distract me, deflection 101- get one past the old man.” At least he was smiling.

“I was taught by the best.” She grinned up at him.

“Uh-huh, well since you are not going to get one by your old Dad, I would suggest you wander by the stairs and grab a fresh shirt and make your way into the den,” he gestured through the open doorway. “You mother awaits your apology in there.”

“What about you?”

“I will be in shortly.”