Daddy Issues

81 - I'll go with you

'And this,' Dan says, pointing to a bench in front of an ice cream shop. 'This is where the love of my life rejected me when I was 14 years old.'

My arm hooked through Dan's as we walk through the main street of the town he grew up in, I laugh. We arrived a couple of hours ago and Dan has been showing me around, as he promised.

Despite the nerves about meeting his parents, we've had a great day. Dan grew up in a lovely town. The people are friendly, the center is cute and little flowers are sprouting here and there as the first signs of spring. But the best thing is, we can just walk around as a couple because anybody that might spot us here, wouldn't know my mother.

Somehow, we managed to make it to the weekend without her finding out first. So she couldn't have put it together when Roger mentioned me being with a guy when I had to go to the hospital. Honestly, I don't think she gave it that much thought, since she got too caught up in thinking I had somehow slept with Roger. She wouldn't care about some random guy being with me.

So I'm still safe. And if we make it through this weekend, I'll tell her. Then all cards will be on the table. And I guess we'll either make it or break it.

For now, I'm trying to put it out of my mind. One thing at a time and for now, that's meeting Dan's parents. And until it's time for dinner, it's just me and him. I love learning more about his childhood.

'I thought I was the love of your life,' I say, pulling at his arm.

'Well, of course,' he grins. 'But I didn't know that then. I was heartbroken.'

'Why did she reject you? She must have been crazy.'

'You know, she said she kind of liked me, but she didn't want to be seen with- and you're never gonna believe this-'

'A nerd!'

'Were you there?'

'She really said that?' I ask, holding him a little closer. 'That's so mean. She really was crazy.'

'Oh, so you agree it isn't nice to call someone a nerd?' he says, giving me a look. 'Maybe somebody should stop doing it then.'

'That's different! I call you a nerd in the most loving way. You know you love it.'

'Sure, I do,' he chuckles.

'Should we be heading to your parents soon?' I ask, glancing at the watch on his wrist. I do not want to start off this thing being late. I'm going to do my very best to make a good impression, despite the fact that I'm already at a disadvantage.

'It's not far from here, we have some time,' Dan says. Then his eyes drift away a little. In a way that makes me look at him a little more closely.

'I was thinking...' He says hesitantly. 'There's one more place I'd like to go. But I get that it might be uncomfortable for you, so if you're not up for it, please tell me. I don't want to put anything more on you before meeting my parents.'

'Um, well, it might be easier to decide if you tell me what you're actually talking about.'

Dan stops walking suddenly. His gaze is still fixed on a point somewhere in the distance. Confused, I follow his eyes to find out what this is all about. Then my heart sinks a little. Because I think what this is about.

We're looking at a graveyard.

'Bree's burried there,' he says softly. 'I always visit when I'm in town. But I can go later, on my own.'

Of course. This town is where he met his ex-wife. Where they lived and raised a daughter together. Until it all got taken away from him.

We talk about Bree sometimes. He can't really watch a movie where a child gets hurt, or worse. I've held him while he cried. But it's not always sad. Sometimes he just tells me about her when he sees something that makes him think of her. I suppose a part of him is always thinking about her. But the way he smiles when he spots her favorite Disney princess or we see an animal that she loved or he thinks of something funny she once said, is both beautiful and heartbreaking.