for a moment.
"Everything all right?" he asked.
"Everything's wonderful, Daddy."
"Harley's got some big decisions to make about
his life now," he said still looking after him. "I know. We talked about that. He's going to
see about getting into a school. You know how
talented he is with his construction art, and how he is
interested in planning buildings and bridges and
things. He could be good at it. Daddy. He really
could!"
"Okay, honey."
"Maybe you can help him. too. Daddy." "I'll certainly try," he said. "Just be careful
about one thing, honey. Be careful about your
investment in people. Too often, we are disappointed
in our relationships," he advised. "You've got to be
s
ecure about yourself first. Get your feet well planted before you lean in one direction or another. That way you won't fall on your face. You understand what I mean?" he asked, his eyes scrutinizing my face
carefully.
"Yes, Daddy. I do." I smiled. "You want me to
be like Mr. Oak Tree.
"Oak Tree'?" He looked out at it. "Oh. Yes,
that's it. That's it exactly," he said. Then he put his
arm around me as we walked to the house.
The next day was Harley's graduation
ceremony. He never looked more handsome. and Aunt
Glenda and Uncle Roy were so impressive in their
new clothes and styled hair, they attracted a lot more
attention. Mommy and I held hands, especially when
the graduates paraded in and onto the stage. After the
speeches, the principal began to call out the traditional