“We had an early dinner,” Autumn replied. “This is Friday night after-dinner snacks. We have a fruit platter as well. You don’t need to worry.”
“And hummus crunchies,” Bethany said, trampling over our outstretched feet, finding something that looked vaguely like a crisp, and bringing it back and handing it to me. “They’re yummy.”
I took the crisp and took a bite. Not because I was hungry or curious but because my daughter wanted me to. “Yummy,” I said. “So what’s the film?”
“You have to call it movie, Daddy. Like Autumn.”
“Okay,” I said, smiling at her. At this rate she’d have an American accent by the end of the month. “What movie are we watching.”
“Singing and Dancing,” Bethany said, and I groaned. Not a musical.
“Singin’ in the Rain,” Autumn said. “Like I said, she’s four. She should know these songs by heart.”
“Yes, I remember. I’m a terrible father for neglecting her musicals education.”
Autumn’s smile was like a physical touch. It filled her face, lit up the room, and warmed my soul. “Well, at least you’re aware and willing to put things right. Or at least have me put them right.”
“I might leave you to it,” I said, shifting to get up. There was always work to do. “I hate musicals.”
“Sit your butt back down,” Autumn said.
“Butt, butt, butt, butt.” Bethany started jumping on the spot.
“No one hates Singin’ in the Rain,” Autumn declared. “It’s impossible. And if you’ve never seen it, you can’t say you hate it.”
“It’s sooo good, Daddy.”
“I can hate it,” I said. “I got dragged to see Cats once when it was in the West End. Was up there as one of the worst experiences of my life.”
“Well, Jiminy Cricket, Bethany, what a terrible life your father has had. But what he doesn’t know is that movie musicals are different from stage musicals. And Singin’ in the Rain is the best movie musical of all time.” She turned to me. “You hated the show Cats. It doesn’t mean you hate all movie musicals. You can’t write things off like that.”
“Why would I waste my time? It’s not like I’m Sam I am. I’ve tried them. I just don’t like them.”
Autumn burst into a laugh. “That’s a perfect name for you—Sam I Am.”
I wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless for teasing me. No one ever dared to tease me. “I’m the opposite of Sam I Am. I’ve already had green eggs and ham.” Oh Christ, I was rhyming now.
“Nope. You saw one musical. One time. Broaden your horizons. Give them another shot. The genre deserves a second chance to impress you.”
She was relentless. I loosened my tie and resigned myself to at least half an hour of hell. After that, surely she’d agree I’d eaten my green eggs and ham. “Okay then. Do your worst, put it on.”
“You’ll stay?” Bethany said. “You don’t have to work?” She landed on my lap with a thud, and I pulled her so she was leaning against my front.
It pinched at my heart that Bethany assumed I’d have to work rather than stay with her and watch a film on a Friday night. I wanted to provide for her and be a good role model, but she should know that I’d rather hang out with her than do anything else in this moment.
“Only if I get some popcorn,” I replied.
“You can have all of it. Can’t he, Autumn?”
“Yes, he can,” she replied.
“You’re going to love this movie so much, Daddy.”
What I was going to love was sitting with my warm, snuggly daughter in my lap, next to one of the most beautiful, bright, kind women I’d ever met.
Every now and then, Autumn would glance at me and smile, seemingly glad that I was making the effort to stay and enjoy the film. Intermittently, Bethany would get up and dance to the music and we’d applaud her and she’d curtsey.
Just as we were getting toward the end, Autumn sat up straight. “This is it. Are you ready?” She glanced at Bethany. “Fingers on lips.”
Dutifully, Bethany put her index finger across her lips and drew her knees up to her chin.
Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds gathered in a doorway to shelter from the rain. Apparently something important was about to happen.
We all held our breath as Autumn stared dreamily at the screen.
“Gah,” Autumn said as music started playing. “That is the most romantic line in movie history—‘This California dew is just a little heavier than usual tonight.’”
Gene Kelly was dancing his way down the rainy street. “Is that romantic?” Maybe I was missing something.
“Not that line. The next one when he says ‘Really? From where I stand the sun is shining all over the place.’”
I didn’t laugh because I could tell she was serious, but it took some effort.
She glanced at me and then shifted toward me when she saw I didn’t agree. “What? You don’t think it’s romantic?”