While Bert and Lisa were in their room checking over their belongings, Lisa found her hairbrush, sat at the dresser, took off her scrunchie, and brushed her hair.
She noticed Bert watching her in the mirror and looking depressed. "What's wrong, honey?"
Bert sighed and massaged her shoulders. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? You didn't do anything wrong."
"I mean about dad. I know he's barely speaking to you and won't even look at you instead of getting to know you like everyone else. It's upsetting you, and you have every right to be upset."
Lisa sighed lightly and held Bert's hands. "Thanks. Do you know what's going on?"
"I think it's because he's still mad at me," Bert explained.
"Why?" asked Lisa surprised. "What did you do, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well," began Bert. "Around the time he got his transfer out here, I had already decided I wanted to go to college in the city. The same one you're going to. And this was shortly before graduation. He'd hoped I would be coming too, but I decided I wanted to stay in the forest and find work after college. Dennis wanted to, also, but he still had Grades 11 and 12 left, so he didn't have a choice."
"Anyway, it's because when Dennis and I were kids, we did everything with dad. We fished, swam, played ball, and slept in the clubhouse Ralph and I built. I told you about that fort, right?"
Lisa smiled. "Yes. You mentioned it a little while ago and said you'd like to show me sometime."
"Right," said Bert remembering. "We'd work on his car and the boat when I was in high school and taking auto mechanics courses. We had a lot of good times."
Lisa smiled again. "Sounds like it." Her smile faded. "It sounds like he misses all that and wishes you were still around."
"Yeah," said Bert feeling depressed. "He's ignoring you because he feels I'll have less time for him now. Dennis said it was the same way when he brought Natasha home. He has warmed up to her and gotten to know her better, but it took a while. Hopefully, it won't take long with you."
Lisa smiled and kissed him. "You love and care for me, don't you?"
"Of course I do," said Bert. "You mean everything to me, and I want you to be happy. I've never felt this way before, and it's all new and exciting."
"Vice versa." They kissed. Bert blushed.
"I'll talk to him. Whether he likes it or not, kids have to grow up and leave the nest sometime. We can't be babies forever."
"Indeed," Lisa agreed. "My parents have been kind of acting like that too but at least they don't ignore you and they're nice to you"
"Yes, I like your folks," said Bert. "You have a good family."
"As do you," said Lisa. "I can tell that they're as nice, supportive, and understanding as you." She leaned her head against his chest. "It makes me happy having a good man in my life. Thank you for being such a sweetheart."
"My pleasure," said Bert. "And thank you. You make happy knowing you're a good woman."
They smiled and kissed.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," said Bert.
It was Dottie. "Supper's ready," she said.
"Alright," Bert and Lisa said together as they followed her upstairs.
They helped set the table and put out the food. Bob had barbequed Ribeye steaks and Dottie had made mashed potatoes with gravy and boiled corn. She preferred to bake her own buns.
"Smells great," said Lisa. "Thanks."
"It's our pleasure dear," said Dottie. "It's nice when we can have a big get-together like this. We might as well eat well."
Lisa smiled.
"So Lisa," said Henderson. "Bert said you're going to play college basketball this fall."
"That's right," answered Lisa. "I want to start a team in the forest after graduation. Bert mentioned there aren't any when I first moved there. I'd like to change that."
"Sounds like a good idea," said Bonnie. "My uncle would've liked you. He loved shooting hoops with his friends when he was in high school."
Lisa smiled. "What happened to him?"
"He passed on about 10 years ago," Bonnie explained. "He was just old."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Lisa.
"Thanks, hon," said Bonnie who smiled.
"So where are you from?" asked Julie.
"I was born in Toronto, but I've moved several times because dad used to be a chef on the track gangs," Lisa explained. "I don't remember much about when I was living there."
"Toronto," said Dottie. "We have family there. "It's a nice city."
"The track gangs huh?" said Johnson. "I used to be an engineer myself. They feed you well."
Lisa chuckled. "That's what dad said."
"So how are things going between you two?" asked Dottie.
"Pretty good," said Bert. "We've had a couple of fights but we're doing well for the most part."
"Yes, things are going pretty well between us," said Lisa. "Bert's very good to me and has helped with some problems. He was there for me and helped me get settled into life in the forest. Nobody has ever been that sweet to me." She kissed him.
The others smile, except for Bob who was rather quiet. Bert, Lisa and Dottie noticed but said nothing.