The One She Loves • George Springer

Can't Help Falling In Love

|S A M A N T H A|

"Just let me make something!"

My dad throws his hands up, "You're gonna burn the house down!"

I roll my eyes, "Omigosh, I forget the water in the microwave macaroni once!"

"And the time you microwaved a burrito with the foil on!"

I slap my forehead, "Ugh! Just let me make something for us to eat because we are all starving!"

Matthew yells from the living room, "Dad, just let her cook and if the house burns down you get to say 'I said so'!"

Dad crosses his arms, "Fine."

After twenty minutes, I finally serve six plates with spaghetti and meatballs on the dinner table. We say a quick prayer then eat. I look at my dad and ask, "Is it alright?"

He looks up at me and shrugs, "It's pretty good. I taught you well."

I laugh, "The few times you taught me."

He points his fork at me, "Oh don't give me that, I was always working those long hours."

I frown a bit, "I know."

Dad looks at Carlos and Jake asking, "So how about you boys? How are you doing?"

Carlos sets down his fork, "I'm fine sir. I think our team is doing pretty good though."

Jake laughs, "Yeah, a lot of us are doing really good. I'm glad I have a great team with you and the rest of the guys to play ball with."

My dad smiles, "I think you guys are doing great."

"Thank you sir," Carlos and Jake say in unison.

He waves his hand, "Oh just call me Marco or Anthony or Antonio. Sir makes me feel older than I already am."

After ten minutes, I stand up, "Who's done?"

They all say 'me' and I walk around to collect the bowls. I carefully stack the dishes and take them to the sink.

I turn on the hot water and start to grab the sponge when I see a picture of my dad and a lady I've never seen before. She looks  pretty and is about the same age as my dad. I take the picture in my hands and walk back over to the dining room.

"Who's this?"

My dad turns his head to look at me and answers, "That's May."

I tilt my head, "Dad is she..."

He shakes his head, "No, she's my co-worker and my friend. She's pretty though, isn't she?"

I nod, "Yeah." I walk back to the kitchen and continue washing the dishes.

I wonder if my dad should or is looking for someone. I don't want him alone for that long. I mean, he does have Matthew but eventually Matthew will find someone. I've always wondered if my dad would find someone else. He loved Michelle and she loved him. Then she changed. She started drinking and doing drugs. She's not the same person my father married. I'm glad he got out of that relationship. He didn't look happy anymore. Neither did Michelle.

I put up the bowls and forks and go to the guest room where Lily and are going to sleep for the night. Carlos and Jake were going to sleep on the couch even though Lily and I told them to sleep on the bed so they could be well rested. They were too much of gentlemen to do that anyway. I plop down on the bed and grab my phone to play some of my music. Can't Help Falling In Love comes on and I feel my heart drop.

Wise men say

Only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you