Author's notes: Thank as always for the reviews you so kindly shared. I hope you like this one. If not smile anyway as tm is renewed.
"Of course I will."
"Thank you."
His gaze is back out to see.
"The sunrise was beautiful, there's nothing quite like a sunrise reflected off the ocean. Will you watch it with me tomorrow?"
"Sure."
Patrick takes a deep sigh.
"Charlotte was an early riser when we first brought her home from the hospital, I moved a rocking chair out here and Charlotte and I shared many sunrises out here while Angela got some rest. She was such a little thing, so helpless. I would lay her down on my chest, right here."
He place his right hand in the middle of his chest.
"She would crunch up into a ball and then stretch out her limbs,twist her head to look up at me, her eyes were dark pools. She looked like she had the answers to the whole universe, as if she was saying to me, Dad you think you're so clever, if only you knew what I know. Her tiny hand would hold on to my little finger with a grip stronger than something that size should have. I would tell her all the plans I had for her as she grew up. I told her that all I wanted was for her to be happy. She could do whatever she wanted with her life as long as it made her happy. I promised to always be there for her and no matter what happened or what she did she could count on me to be there for her, that I would never let her down."
Patrick turns towards Teresa a wry smile on his face.
"It was a stupid promise to make. No one can be there all the time, everyone lets everyone down at some time..."
Teresa watches his sadness deepen.
"...and I did it on a spectacular scale."
"It wasn't your fault."
Patrick smiles once more.
"I have to take some of the blame. I acted recklessly, as I often did and do, as you can testify to. I guess I haven't learnt my lesson on that score. The price I paid was higher than most. But I've got him and at a cost I probably deserved to pay."
"Patrick.."
"Teresa. I'm going to sell this place, there's no sense in keeping it. I don't need to,or want to look at that smiley face any longer and my life isn't in Malibu, it hundreds of miles away from here."
Her heart jumps hearing Patrick talk of Sacramento as home.
"I think that's a good idea."
Patrick gives a faint nod of his head.
"I'll get in touch with the realtors after this drink. I'll be making someone's day today. I don't care what I get for it, I just want it gone. I'm sure what happened here reduced the value anyway."
As Patrick drains his cup Teresa stands up with her coffee.
"I'll take this with me and go get my shower and dress."
"Okay, I'll call the realtor."
His eyes are heavy with sadness.
"Are you sure it's what you want to do?"
Patrick stands up and takes her hand, rubbing his thumb over her skin.
"Yes. It's not going to be easy but it's the right thing to do...I know it is."
He gives her hand a squeeze and drops it. His sadness overwhelms her and she takes him in her arms and hugs him gently.
"You won't be doing this alone, I'll be with you every step."
His hold on her tightens and his voice comes out a whisper choked with emotion.
"Thank you. I owe you so much.."
"You owe me nothing...only dinner."
She feels him smile.
"Deal"
She pulls away from him and searches his face. He gives her a reassuring smile.
"I'll be fine, I have to go through it if I'm going to move on."
"Okay"
As Teresa runs up the stairs Patrick tries the number he remembers for the realtor they used to buy the home but it says it no longer exists. He opens a drawer in the kitchen and takes out a dark green leather-bound book. He traces his finger down the cover, an image flashing through his mind of Angela leaning over the counter writing in it. He opens it up and her handwriting stares back at him. The letters written with care and grace in contrast to his ugly,hurried script. He smiles when he reads the notes she put against the entries in to the address book. This is definitely not for other people's viewing. Angela would include a 'description' of the person and if you didn't give a good first impression you did not want to read what she put. It was all in good fun, but the recipient probably wouldn't feel that way. With his memory he never had to use it, but it was a lifeline to Angela. As he flips through the pages he surprised to see his own name. It's his cell number, he guesses she put it in just in case something happened to her phone. Next to his name in large letters was the word 'SEXY' he couldn't help but smile, he loved her calling him that. She was an incredible woman and that she loved him in every way never ceased to amaze him. How he missed her still, and apart of him always will. He wouldn't want it any other way.
He finds Shumway realtors and the number he had's crossed out another written in. She must have discovered the change when she was recommending them to a neighbour who was selling. He punches the numbers into his phone and after three rings it's picked up.
.