Strawberry Wine (34 page)

Jason handed him a clean handkerchief, which Bill accepted graciously. “I have something for you Mr. Wilson.” Jason said softly, and he disappeared into the house in search of his over-night bag, returning a moment later just as Bill had gotten himself under control.

Jason was holding a small, ten inch, square photo album. He offered it to Bill, and Bill took it, but didn’t open it right away. It was Jason’s turn to speak.

“Of everyone in our immediate family, sir, I am perhaps the only one who fully appreciated where you were coming from - Why you did the things you did. I know it was all done out of love for your daughter. While I admit to having felt a strong amount of bitterness at finding out the lengths you went to keep us apart, that’s all behind us now. I never wanted to come between Alli and her family. It broke my heart to witness her sadness over your absence these past years.”

Jason shifted his weight, leaning his back against the porch column. “I didn’t want you to think you were unwelcome, sir. I didn’t want you to stay away because of me...” Jason gestured to the album, and Bill opened it and took in a shaky breath.

The first page held a picture of Alli and Jason on their wedding day. They had been married at Jason’s parent’s house, and you could make out the barn in the background as Jason and Alli stared lovingly into each other’s eyes. The photographer had wanted to crop out the curious goat that had made its way into the frame, but Alli had insisted they keep the photo as-is.

The following pages held other shots from the wedding and honeymoon. Jason watched as Bill turned another page and gasped at Alli, round with child, happily dying easter eggs with Margot. Next came pictures of a newborn Lizzie, followed by Lizzie a few weeks older, staring directly into the camera, a tuft of fuzzy baby-bird hair sticking straight up from her head.

It was all in there - holidays, birthdays, big events, milestones, quiet moments... Everything Bill had been too proud to share in, Jason had been documenting and compiling in the hopes that one day, Bill would be there to receive it, and become an active member of the family again.

Bill’s tears splashed down over the plastic coverings of the pages. He wiped them away with his handkerchief and gently closed the album.

“Thank you.” He said.

Jason held out his hand for a handshake, and this time, Bill took it, shaking it firmly, then he pulled Jason in and gave him a hug.

“Welcome to the family, son.” Bill said gruffly.

“Welcome back, sir.” Jason replied.

About the Author

Kristy Phillips is a New York Times best selling author... In her imagination, which is where she spends the majority of her time, thinking up story lines and navigating her way through hypothetical situations.

Kristy is a busy mother of three, and when she's not chasing kids around or investigating the latest mystery stain on the new carpet, she can be found blogging at
www.theprimamomma.com
, writing sketch comedy, or performing improv at various venues in Hollywood. Very rarely can she be found doing any actual house work.

Wanna know more?
www.kristyphillips.com

Other books by Kristy Phillips:

The Stormclyffe Affair

Sudden Legacy