Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“Sit down.” Dad points to the chair next to him.

“Do you guys know what this is about?” I ask, taking my seat. They both nod, but don’t tell me. “So, why am I here?” I push.

“To hear a story,” Dad tells me.

I look between them as Mom opens the book. “This is when we first started dating.”

She points to the picture I have seen numerous times in my life. My parents are sitting on a couch at a friend’s party. Mom’s red hair is poofy and Dad doesn’t have a mustache or gray hair, but they look the same as they do right now.

“I’ve seen this,” I inform them, looking back up at them.

“I’ve never told you the story about us and our engagement.” Mom takes a deep breath. “Your father’s proposal is something that I typically keep to myself.” It’s true, she never really tells the story. All I know about it, is that it’s a sweet story. “I think it’s time for you to know.”

I look between my parents, unsure why after all theses years, they’re telling me this now. Mom’s always been very private about that moment between them. I’m not sure why Levi is sending me to hear this.

“It took me forever to plan it because your mother is so nosy.” Dad chimes in as Mom rolls her eyes.

“I was living with a roommate, and she helped your dad set everything up. When I got off work, I was so tired. I just wanted a hot bath and sleep. But I walked into my place, and there were Hersey Kisses everywhere on the floor. There was a trail that lead to the bathroom.” Mom giggles.

I look strangely at my dad. “We didn’t have a lot of money. I had to deal with what I could afford,” he explains.

“Anyway,” Mom continues. “I followed it to the bathroom, where all these candles were lit, and there was a hot bath with flower petals floating in the water. The whole place smelled heavenly.” Mom pauses smiling at the memory. “Well, there was a note on the counter, and I picked it up.”

Mom turns the page of the book, and there it is. My dad’s chicken scratch handwriting. I lean in to read the words:

Now, that I’ve KISSED the ground you’ve walked on, and SHOWERED you with flowers, would you do the honor of being my wife?

“When I turned around, your dad was on one knee with the ring.” A small tear escapes my mom’s eye. “It was the sweetest proposal, and I thought you should know.” Mom quickly closes the book and pulls back to her. I never understood why she kept that secret. It would be something I would share all the time, but Mom is different.

“That’s a beautiful story,” my voices cracks a little of hearing my parents falling in love.

“It was the best bath of my life.” Dad winks at Mom.

“Ew.” I shake my head, covering my ears. “I don’t need to know that.”

They laugh loudly. Once they die down, Dad hands me a another card. “Levi loves you so much, Presley. He really is a great guy.”

“Do you know if he’s here?” I ask as I take the card from him.

“Actually, I don’t know if he is or not,” he says truthfully.

I stand to leave, but look at my parents one more time. “Thank you for telling me the story. I know that I can be a little stubborn at times, but I love you both very much.” I mean it too. Our relationship has been rocky, but we are rebuilt, and I know that our future is going to be just as good.

“Presley, we love you, and we are so proud of the woman you’ve become.” I’m a little shocked by my dad’s words. He gets up and hugs me tightly. I cling to him as if I’m a little girl again. But then, sometimes a girl just needs her dad.

When I get to my car, I have to take moment and compose myself before I open the envelope. I think about their story again. Seeing my parents together again is something I never thought would happen.

I try to piece together again why in the world would I need to hear that story. What is Levi doing? I lay my head back and think of every possible scenario, but all I can come up with is love. Maybe Levi is showing me how much my family loves me and how we all got here. Is he reminding me that I’m not alone? That sounds like something he would plan.

With law school starting in several weeks and moving, Levi is trying to show me all these great people in my life. I look down to the gleaming white card. When he sent me on the hunt for Valentine’s Day, it was about us. This one is about me, and I love him more for it.

I read the words on the second card:

Hey, Smarty. I’m going to sound like a girl, but I don’t care. One of my favorite things growing up was listening to my mother tell the story of how her and Pops got engaged. That was one of the best days of her life. Second stop will be at the address on the back of the card. You’ll find Pops there. Fair warning: You might want tissues.

I flip the card over and see that it’s in Levi’s hometown. I bite down on my lip. I love Victor as if he’s my own father, but when he talks about Amanda, it never fails to break my heart. I check my bag quickly and there is a small pack of tissues in there. I know I’ll need them, just like Levi said.

I head to the address and when I get closer, I realize that it’s a restaurant. It doesn’t look like a fancy place, and I’m thankful because I’m in jeans and a sweater. I park the car and walk into the place. I try to hide my smile.