It’s a replica of a 1950’s soda shop. The music is playing softly as I see the red leather booths and black and white checkered floors. I see Victor in a far corner booth and I go to him.
“How’s my girl?” He stands, hugging me tightly.
“Trying to figure out what your son has me doing today.” I giggle as we sit down.
“Levi gets this from Amanda, trust me.” The waitress comes over, and Victor orders two strawberry milkshakes before I can say anything.
“So, I guess you’re going to tell me a story?” I question him.
“Well, yes.” I see the sadness come across his face.
“Victor, if you don’t want to,” I trail off.
“No, no. I promised Levi I would.” He pats my hand and takes a deep breath. “Presley, I fell love with my wife the moment I saw her. There was no doubt in my mind that she was the one for me.”
I feel the tears building already, because I know that it’s so hard for him to talk about Amanda still.
“Did you know we didn’t date long before I proposed to her?” He asks.
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t.”
“Three months. That was it.” He stops as the waitress brings our order to us. “We had met in college, and I couldn’t wait to marry her, but I had no money, and I wanted to make sure she had the best wedding and ring that I could find.”
I can see Victor doing that. He’s such a great man.
“So, I got a part time job and didn’t tell her. I saved every penny I had and was able to get a ring. It wasn’t fancy, but Amanda wasn’t like that. In fact,” he looks deeply at me, “you’re a lot like her, Presley. The love and care you give to Levi is something that she would respect you for.”
I sniff as the tear leaves my eye.
“Anyway,” he clears his throat. “I found a ring that I knew would be perfect for her. I brought her to this diner. Back in the day, they had cheap food that was so good and greasy. Something Levi won’t let me eat now.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “We would come here often.” I watch his eyes scan the room, as if the memory was right there in front of him. “I told her how much I loved her as she drank her milkshake. I honestly don’t think she was paying attention to me.” He laughs again.
I smile because I was sipping my drink at the time. “I’m listening to you. I just have a small addiction to these.”
“I know. Levi told me.” He clears his throat and continues with his story. “Well, Amanda did pay attention once I slid the ring box across the table. I told her,” he stops, and I see it. The tear from the corner of his eye. It takes him a moment to say it, and I feel the hot tears on my cheeks. “I told her that she would have to marry me because I can’t breathe when she isn’t with me. She was my air, and I can’t survive without her.” His voice low, and his tears come stronger.
I can’t take it. I get up and go to him, hugging him tightly. Even though he said Levi is like his mom, I think he’s more like Victor. We don’t say anything for a while. We just let the tears fall.
“I’m sorry, Presley. I didn’t mean to ruin this.” He takes a napkin, cleaning his face.
“You could never ruin anything. Thank you for telling me.”
“I know it’s been many years, but it hurts still,” he tells me honestly. “I know that Levi and you have that same connection. I’m so happy you two found each other.”
Victor pulls out the card and hands it to me. “Is he here, Victor?” I whisper to him.
He only smiles at me. I open the card and read the words to myself:
Meet me at the pond on my father’s land. I’ll be waiting, Presley.
I look at the card again before turning back to Victor. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course, Presley.” He lovingly pats my hand.
“I love you as much as I love my father. I think you’re an amazing man, Victor.”
He smiles at me, the same smile Levi gives me. “Presley, if Amanda and I ever had a daughter, I would pray that she was just like you. I’m so proud to have you in our family.”
I smile up at him, hugging him one more time before I leave.