Finding Dad

Teddy

Molly hugged Teddy and laughed.

"Oh Teddy Jonas does not have big feet." Molly gave her Teddy a kiss. Jonas's jaw dropped and couldn't find words to describe his situation.

"Molly honey, have you gone through mommy's medical files again." Annabelle looked very concerned for her daughter but stayed calm.

"Mommy Teddy is my best friend and tells me everything! Teddy told me Jonas has a sister named Victoria who died, his mother also died and that he was abused by a old man at that disgusting orphanage who stayed at." Molly looked dead serious which made Jonas even more scared.

"Did Teddy ever tell you about my Dad, Molly?" 

"No Joe sorry, I asked her and she said that your dad was in his happy place." Molly shrugged and made her Teddy dance in her lap. Annabelle started the car and no one said anything the rest of the drive. 

Happy place? Where was dad most happy? Jonas raddled his brain for answers. A memory flashed Jonas's mind it wasn't a long memory but it was good enough. The memory was when Jonas, Victoria and their Dad went to the beach the summer after Jonas's Mom had passed away.

"Jonas I'll tell you one thing this is the place I come to when I'm sad or scared or even mad, this is my happy place." Mr. King looked his young son in the eyes and breathed in the salty ocean air.

What was that beach called? Jonas grunted in frustration. He knew his Dad was alive he couldn't be dead they had no evidence, he had no evidence. They walked back up to Annabelle's apartment the maids had came in and cleaned for them. Molly ran into her bedroom to play with Teddy Jonas joined her hoping for some answers.

"Molly has Teddy told you anything else?"

"Only that she loves you and Victoria is with her. I think Teddy has known you and Teddy didn't start speaking until a couple weeks ago."

"That's around the time my sister died." Jonas asked if he could see the Teddy. He held the bear to his face and in the eyes he didn't see himself but a middle aged woman with short blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Jonas stared dumbfounded at the woman in the eyes. The woman mouthed something to Jonas which made him drop Teddy onto the floor.

"Mom." the words escaped his lips before he could stop them. 

"What Teddy can't have a baby! Teddy is not married!" Molly grabbed her beloved Teddy and held it close to her chest.

"Sorry Molly I have to go." Jonas walked out of Molly's room and into the living room only to meet Annabelle.

"I think I know where my dad is I have to go. Thank you for all your hospitality and for caring for Victoria until her final days. Thank you and I'll leave in like five minutes." Jonas started for the bathroom to go get his old clothes.

"Jonas calm down, you can leave but at least stay for dinner I think Molly has grown a liking to you." Annabelle smiled and looked over Jonas's shoulder at her daughter. Molly ran up to Jonas and gave him a hug.

"Teddy said she's sorry for scaring you and that she just wants you to find your dad." Jonas smiled and hugged Molly back.

"Tell Teddy that I'm sorry for dropping her on the floor and that I admire her positively." Jonas held onto Molly as if she was Victoria.

"She knows." Molly let go of Jonas and went to go play with her dolls Jonas joined her.

******

After a delicious dinner of chicken and mashed potatoes Jonas went into the room where he had first gotten the outfit Annabelle had given him. There was a bag packed with a few more shirts, pants, underwear and a container of food. In the front pocket was some money and a bus pass to Toronto.

"Where did you get all this boy stuff?"

"I had a nephew he died of cancer two years ago. I had all this stuff for him for when he got better kind of like a welcome back present. He never came home to get his present." Annabelle looked away and wiped a tear off her cheek. 

"I'm sorry Annabelle."

"Oh Jonas you shouldn't be sorry, you have lost so much more in life yet you are so full of energy and just inspiring to anyone who meets you." Jonas hugged Annabelle and swung the bag over his shoulder and left.

"Joe! Joe up here!" Jonas looked up and saw Molly's small head and Teddy's brown head.

"Bye Joe we'll miss you!" Molly shouted from her bedroom window. She made Teddy's arm move as if she was waving and Jonas swore he saw that creepy bear wink.

"Bye Molly Miss Dolly and her magical bear!" Jonas could see Molly giggling even from the streets below he saw here beautiful smile. Molly blew him a kiss and Jonas left.

He hoped that the bear was right, he hoped that he was right. All Jonas could do was hope.