His idea had seemed to be a good one. As the time ticked away on the clock, he wasn't sure anymore. One thing he knew-he couldn't wait to see Sharon. It had been too long, way too long, only further intensifying his growing feelings for this wonderful woman. It was now October, Sharon's fall break, and he couldn't wait for her flight to arrive. The fight had been his idea, his surprise, and now, he was worried she was going to be cursing him for the thought.
"Bob," he had said into the phone one evening after returning from his last trip to Flagstaff. It had been early September, and he'd been thinking about Sharon's trip. On this particular evening, she'd had a rather rough day at work and with Hannah. Hannah had been displaying her personality more and more as she continued to age. At just over one, she was starting to get frustrated more as well as demanding. Sharon had been told Hannah had a rough day at daycare, and that had continued at home. She'd tested Sharon, not that Sharon couldn't handle a baby, but it had just been one of those days. He felt badly about it when he'd gotten off the phone with her, wanting to help, but being so far away. Here, his daughter was giving Sharon a hard time. Sure, she was their daughter, but it just made him feel like a crappy dad again, not helping with his kid. After he finished his call with Sharon, his mind began to wander, and that led him to his idea and late-night phone call. "It's Andy Flynn calling," he told Bob.
"Andy," Bob said to him.
"Yes, ahh, I hope you don't mind my calling. Sharon gave me your number a couple weeks ago just in case I should even need it. I hope you don't mind," he said again, a bit nervous. "I wanted to discuss something with you," he explained.
"Is there something wrong? Sharon? Hannah?" Bob asked.
"No, no, nothing like that," Andy said quickly. "I have an idea, and I would like your help. This is something I believe we both would like to see happen."
"Listen, I don't want to be asked to pick sides, Andy. My daughter doesn't involve me in much of her personal life, at least where men have been concerned. Meeting you, that has been a big step, and I believe she knows I have concerns. I've shared those with you too," he said.
"I'm aware," Andy said. "Look, I am trying, Bob."
"What do you have in mind?" Bob asked.
"I'm not sure if Sharon mentioned to you anything about October, her break, fall break, to be exact," Andy explained.
"No, nothing yet, but it sounds like you two discussed it," he said.
"Bob, I love your daughter. I know I'm going to have to continue to prove that to you, and I intend to do that. I love your granddaughter too, my daughter. They are my world. I'm calling because I want to do something kind for them, and I think this will be something we can both do."
"I'm listening," Bob said.
"Sharon wants to come to California for her break. I've got plenty of room for them here at my house and am very excited to have them come here. She mentioned she's planning to drive. You and I both know she's fully capable of driving; that's not the issue. I know it's a strain to drive like that, a long distance, with a baby. She can do it, but I'd like to do something nice for her. I was thinking that I would like to get her a plane ticket, and that's where you come in. I know it still involves her driving, but I thought she could see you in the process. She's used to driving there and flying from Phoenix, so maybe I could buy her the ticket, she could stay with you for the night, you could see her and take her to the airport the next day, and then, she could stay here. When she flies back, she'd see you again. It gives us both time with Sharon and Hannah. I don't want to make her take sides with either of us. I'll run the idea by Sharon, but I wanted to see if you were okay with it before I pitched it to her."
"Hmm, well," he paused to gather his thoughts, "Andy, I've never been one to speak for my daughter."
Andy waited, not sure if Bob was going to say more, and when he didn't, Andy answered, "I''m aware, Bob. I just want to do this for Sharon and Hannah."
"My girls are always welcome here, and I cannot stop her from living her life, from visiting you in Los Angeles. It is nice to hear you thinking of Sharon. She hasn't had that in her life, a man standing up and thinking of her," he said. "I caution you, though, to recognize that Sharon has a lot going on in her mind. She seems to be trusting you more, and I expect you won't take advantage of that. I also am not so sure going to Los Angeles again and again is good for her. I'm not going to speak for her, but I caution you to think about that. Los Angeles was another chapter of her life, and I think she's finally enjoying life now that she is settled in Flagstaff. I want you to think about that as you explore things with her."
"I know you love her. I do too," Andy told him. "I appreciate the concern and will take that into consideration in the future too. L.A. is where I live, though, and in order for the two of us to spend time together and for me to see Hannah, we are both trying to compromise. I have been going to Flagstaff, and while I'm not keeping score, Sharon mostly stays there. She came up with this idea, at least about visiting me. I'm just trying to make it a little easier on her."
"As I've said, Sharon and Hannah are always welcome here. If you know Sharon, you know she doesn't like surprises, so I'd suggest you do discuss this with her, but I'll be glad to have them here anytime," he told Andy.
"Great, thank you, Bob. I'll take good care of them here on my end, and I'm going to discuss this with Sharon. I want to help, but if she doesn't think a flight will help, so be it. I just want her to have a relaxing break; she deserves it, and I also know she sees you often on her breaks," Andy noted.
"She does," Bob told him. "She would usually visit her mother and me."
"I don't want this to seem like she's avoiding you," Andy said.
"She's a grown woman; I know Sharon, and she makes her own decisions. Now, I know she's been to see you before and kept us in the dark. I appreciate you wanting to include me in this. That's something I've not seen before; Jack was secretive and threw on a pretty boy face around me. I hope you and Sharon can figure out something that works, at least as far as Hannah is concerned. I'm still not sure how I feel about her getting involved with you, mostly because I question whether she can handle something now after Jack, but you and I know life is short. I also want you to know my concerns are really because I see a lot of similarities with you and with Jack. That's not to say you aren't different; you and Jack are different men, but I can still worry about my daughter. I'm not sure a relationship is good for either of you, but what do I know? Hannie needs her dad; I'm a firm believer in that, and I saw my other grandkids grow up without their dad. Life is short," he repeated again.
"It is; it really is," Andy said. "I can't promise anything now other than I love her and want to support her how I can. For now, this is a way I can support her. I can be helpful with her trip."
"I suggest you call her," he said.
"Thanks, Bob, and I will," Andy said.
That conversation still replayed in his head, fresh, like he'd just had it. He glanced around again, but he didn't far before his phone rang. He almost jumped, apparently lost in thought and smiled when he saw it was Sharon.
"Hey, I'm hoping this means you've landed," he grinned.
"Yes, I already have my bag," she told him. "Where should I meet you?"
"Wait, what?" Andy jumped up, surprised he'd missed her. In his daydreaming, he'd somehow missed Sharon. "I'm by the arrivals. I missed you?"
"I didn't know you were coming inside," she sighed. "Yes, I've got Hannah in the stroller and already got my bag. We're just stepping outside," she told him.
"Your flight," he glanced up at the board and groaned when he saw it had been updated. Last he had looked, it had not. "It was not updated last I checked."
"They were having all types of issues with that flight," she sighed. "It's not that long of a flight, and they just couldn't get their act together. It doesn't matter; we're here," she added.
"I'll be right there," he said, now moving quickly through the airport. He couldn't believe he'd messed up this opportunity to greet Sharon and help her with Hannah. He wanted to kick himself. "Just tell me where you are."
It took him almost five minutes to meet up with Sharon, and he was so mad at himself. When he spotted her down the sidewalk, he broke into a huge grin, and he had to hold himself back from running toward her. His eyes widened as he got closer and saw just how much Hannah was changing.
"Mamamamama," she babbled in her seat as she picked at her food. He glanced down and saw she had some Cheerios in her tray. He flashed a grin at Sharon and was surprised she moved quickly to embrace him.
"I missed you," she said into his ear quietly as they embraced. Andy pulled back to give her a proper kiss, and he felt her fingernails dig into his neck.
"I missed you both very much," he grumbled. "Whose kid is that? She's grown."
Sharon chuckled, her head still by his ear, and when she stepped back slightly, she put her hand on his shoulder. "Hi, it's good to see you."
"You too. I'm glad you made it, and I hope the flight was helpful, not a problem," he gave a slight roll to his eyes.
She sighed and shook her head, closing her eyes, "I'm never giving her raisins again."
"Raisins, why?" Andy looked to her, puzzled.
She gestured to her feet, "Everything is sticky. I told you she's started to enjoy raisins. We got all settled on the plane, and I gave her a little snack before we took off. She flung the raisins everywhere. The flight wasn't that long, but I kept feeling raisins. I sat on some, I stepped on some, and I am so disgusted about raisins right now. She was pretty proud of herself, but I just want to get the raisins off me. I'm stick, and I feel covered in raisins."
Andy tried to hold back his laugh, but he looked down at Hannah, who was now interested in the talking adults above her, "Raisins, huh? Hannah, Mom said no more raisins."
"Mama," she grinned and flashed a smile, her teeth showing.
"Oh, that smile," she groaned and looked away. Andy chuckled again, and Sharon turned and playfully swatted at him. "I told you I can't look at that smile. It reminds me of someone else."
"Me?" Andy winked at her. "I'd think you'd want to look at that smile all the time. Now, I'm dying to get her out of that stroller. Do you mind?"
"No," she chuckled. "Just know you've been warned about the raisins. She's covered in them too."
Andy nodded, and he pulled Hannah out, kissing her and pulling her close to him. "Hey there, Pumpkin. "He turned to find Sharon there, her arms crossed, just watching the interaction. He nodded to Hannah, "I've really missed her, both of you. I'm glad you came."
"I am too," she said, slightly breathless. "Ready to go?"
"Yes, let's get you to my car. I've got her seat in, and I hope everything is just as you need it at my house," he said.
"I'm sure we'll be very comfortable, Andy," she smiled up at him. Andy took the suitcase with his free hand, Hannah still secure in his other hand. Sharon put her other bag on the stroller and pushed it alongside him. "It was nice to see my dad. Thank you again for the ticket, the sweet gesture."
"Of course," he nodded. "I just got to thinking and wanted to give you the best of both worlds. Hopefully, your dad is okay with you coming here for the weekend."
"Hmm, well, it's not his decision, but I think he understands. He's glad for Hannah's sake. You and I both know that, and while he's very cautious to be happy about any man in my life, I think he's trying with you. It's very true a relationship can be a whole family affair. Look at what Jack did to my entire family; he burned bridges, and I know my dad is cautious, but just keep trying." Andy nodded as he listened. The two navigated the people outside, and then, Sharon shook her head and sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm here five minutes and already talking about Jack."
"Yeah, I get it, I mean, being constantly compared. I know it's not easy, Sharon," he looked to her, a sympathetic smile on his face. "Let's get back to my house. I made a bit pot of soup and one of my homemade salads. I thought that would be a nice light lunch for us, and then, we can figure out dinner. I'm so looking forward to this trip. I have a lot I want to discuss with you."
"Oh?" she glanced up at him, an inquisitive look on her face.
"Not now, later," he nodded. "It will keep. Let's get you home and showered. I doubt you want raisins in your salad."