Train Me Daddy

Neil sighs. “His drinking is destroying the company. I love the boy God; I love him. It just breaks my heart to see him struggling, because of the….”

He shakes his head for a minute as if he remembers something.

“Anyway, he’s just lost his way due to one tragedy after another. First, his mom dying of cancer. His dad and the suicide and then…anyway, I just need to help him.”

He’s missing out parts, I know about his son and his wife. So, there’s something else that must have happened to trigger it. I just don’t know what and without Neil telling me the whole story I kind of feel helpless.

“Sorry to hear that. I wish there were something I could do to help. I don’t like to see you disturbed, Neil. You’ve been so kind to me giving me a job and letting me live in your house.”

I put the broccoli and rice on the table, and we’re all ready to eat. I signal for him to sit, so he moves from the stool to the table.

/> “Well, there’s something you can do for me?” Neil says as he carves the chicken. “White meat or dark?”

“White,” I hold my plate near the chicken. “What it is that I can do, Neil?”

“Ah . . . Isaac needs someone to help him back on the right track.”

I tilt my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“He needs a friend. I don’t think he has a friend in the city. I know that he has no one. He doesn’t even drive to work because he drinks too much in the morning. I was surprised that he made it this far without having a drink.”

“Wow, it’s that bad Neil?”

He nods, “That bad. But I think that you can help him.”

“Neil,” I smile. “Is that some hint?

Neil chuckles, “Well, you know that old saying, ‘if the shoe fits, wear it.’ He’s going to move back to the ranch for a while. I was hoping you would help me keep him busy when he’s here so he doesn’t feel the need to drink so much.”

“Neil!”

“No, no I don’t mean anything improper. Just go riding with him. Get him using the swimming pool again. Maybe get him to teach you to shoot pool.”

“Of course, Neil I’ll love to do that. The truth is I get sort of lonely here on the ranch. I always end up doing everything alone when you’re out with your friends.”

“I noticed that. Are they still treating you as if we’re an item?”

I nod my head.

Neil starts to slowly eat his chicken and says, “Well maybe it’s better if you move to the cottage at the back of the house. I just hated coming home to an empty home before, but since I’ve started being a bit sociable. I don’t mind it so much. Especially if Neil moves in.”

“Why should we make changes so that people don’t talk?”

He sighs, “Because we live in a small town. As much as we can say that they should mind their own business. I don’t want you to be lonely and unhappy anymore. I want you to have a social life and friends other than Autumn and me.”

“And Isaac?” I chime in.

“Yes, that’s all I ask. Just be his friend, he could do with one.”

I nod and change the subject, “Isaac doesn’t know what a great meal he’s missing especially the chicken sauce.”

It’s as though Neil has become my surrogate father. I enjoy meals with him. He’s always so calm and pleasant. The memories of my father at the dinner table are not so pleasant.

“Oh, I forgot to ask how Autumn is doing?”

“Neil, she is the love of my life since you gave her to me. I love riding her around the ranch.”

“When Isaac comes back then maybe you guys could go out for rides. He loves riding Buckskin.’