FOTY by Patrick Councilor
Martin hug up the phone and turned to Eddie with enthusiasm. "Eddie, that was Duke. Guess what?"
Eddie just stared back with his eyes only, for he was in a comfortable spot on the couch and wasn't about to lift his head for anything less than a beef flavored treat.
"What's going on here?" Ronee asked as she stopped dusting around the house.
"Oh, hi hon. I didn't see you there."
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Oh, well that was Duke on the phone."
"No, I am referring to you telling your dog any exciting news before your own wife."
"Oh geez, I'm sorry about that."
"You better be mister. Now what's this news about?"
"Well Duke called. He wants to go ice fishing this weekend."
"I thought that he said he'd never go ice fishing with you again when you put marshmallows outside in the snow and when Duke found them, you tried to convince him that it was snowman poop."
"Nah, that was just a gag. His sciatic nerve has been bothering him. This is the first time we're going in… seven years."
"We'll you'd better make your plans before one of you come up with an excuse not to go."
"I'll go check my gear and start packing."
"I haven't seen you this excited since you found out where they relocated your favorite ice cream parlor."
"Oh, I know. Duke and I go way back. It will be so good to go fishing with him again."
There was a knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" he asked.
Ronee answered it.
It was Niles, Daphne and their children. Daphne gave Ronee an enthusiastic hug as she came through the door.
"Hey, what a wonderful surprise," Martin said as he stood in line for his hugs.
"Mom, can Lynda and I go play?" David asked.
"Alright then. You know where grandpop keeps the toys. You two play nice."
David nodded, took his sister by the hand and off they went.
Niles turned to Ronee and his father. "Far be it from us to show up unannounced, but we have some great news."
"Well what is it?" Ronee asked.
Niles turned to his wife. "You tell them my love."
Daphne couldn't control her smile. "I nominated Niles for an award."
"You did?" Martin returned her smile.
"Niles is going to be honored publicly as Seattle's Father Of The Year."
"Hey, that's fantastic." Martin hugged his son.
"Everyone is invited." Once Niles got started, he couldn't stop. "There is a full banquet. Frasier and Charlotte will be flying in. It's going to be quite a ceremony. Dad, I want you sitting right beside me. I feel that I owe it all to you. After all, you raised me and set a great example. I can't believe this is happening."
"That's fantastic."
"This Saturday at six o'clock"
Martin's smile faded. "This Saturday?"
"Yes, it's going to be a wonderful evening. We're going to rent a limousine. We will share no expense."
Daphne spoke up. "I think you mean 'spare no expense' dear."
"Definitely not. I will be paying for everything that is not already included.
Martin's eyes lowered to the rug. He then looked back up at his son with a forced smile and gave his son a hug. "I'm so proud of you son."
Ronee's eyes caught Martin's. The fishing trip was just not to be.