Me Tarzan, You Jahne (BWWM)

II

Jahne watched her father stuff his face with Torreys famous truffle fries. She had news for him but wasn't sure how well received it would be. He stopped mid fry stuff when he noticed she stopped eating. "Is there something on your mind sweet pea".  She looked out the window and back at him with a sigh.

"Remember when I spoke to you about the animals in the African jungle randomly dying from a rare disease." She asked as she played with the straw in her lemonade.  He nods his head in confirmation; his expression unreadable.

"Of course I remember, its absolutely devastating." He comments placing a fist under his chin and elbow on the table. Jahne nodded and continued on. "Well, I was offered a position on an exhibition to Cameroon to assist in the research of whatever disease this is that's plaguing the jungle. I couldn't turn it down dad, I'm tired of rare diseases taking the lives of people and animals." Rambling she pulled at her fingers in a nervous habit.

Jahne had been on exhibitions before but those had a set timeline and it was never to this extent. Just a little research here and there and rehabilitation but this...this would take a lot more time. She had no set timeline of when she'd be back and due to where she'll be it would not be easy to get into contact with her father all of the time. It worried her. She'd never been away from her dad for longer than a few weeks to a month after her mother passed.

"You know you don't have to worry about me sweat pea" He says smiling at her with a twinkle in his eye. "I think I'm fully capable of taking care of myself while your away".

She sighed with slouched shoulders against the 70's style red cushioned seat. "I know dad I just worry that's all and I have no clear knowing of how long this will take"

"That's the beauty of it sweat pea" He whispers in excitement. Jahne gave him a confused stare. How was there beauty in not knowing when she'd be back home?

"I'm confused dad...where's this beauty in this" Jahne says imitating his posture with her elbows on the table and fist under her chin. Her dad has always had a very ethereal view of things that seemed more conflicting than exciting.

"Well sweat pea...every since your mother passed God rest her soul" He says crossing his heart and kissing his finger tips to the sky before continuing. "You've stopped taking risks and doing what you love to do". Jahne opens her mouth in protest but stops at the raise of her fathers hand.

"Jahne when's the last time you've done something for you that you're passionate about without thinking of everyone else" He asks with a raised brow.

"Dad I don't have time to think about myself and I AM doing what I'm passionate about just from a closer distance to you" she says with a lift of her hands towards him.

"And that dear is the problem...you're so worried about what might happen to these old bones that you're scared to live the life you deserve." He sighs giving Jahne a sad smile. "Listen sweat pea...I love you and I appreciate you but more than any of that I want you to LIVE and be happy. You're so young and have yet to really experience life and what your career has to offer." He gently rests his right hand on Jahnes left before continuing.

"Don't think I don't know about all the other offers around the world that you've gotten and turned down for me" Jahne folds her lips in at his truth.
She had received numerous offers since she started her career to travel all over the world using her expertise. She was top of her class and highly sought out after graduating but only took on offers that were close to home. Close to her dad. Short timelines and easy ways of communicating with him from wherever she was. Anything else she humbly and sadly declined.

"Nothing would make me prouder than for you to accept this offer sweat pea" he pats her hand with a final squeeze before returning to his abandoned fries.