Tim Curran - Resurrection

Mitch just sighed, forcing memories from his head. “I guess…I guess it makes you wonder how much of that stuff is true, you know?”

Tommy and Chrissy looked at each other, laughed.

“Yeah, here’s one that’s got me thinking,” Tommy said. “’Face of Jesus seen on Mars.’ I mean, that’s food for thought.”

“How about this one,” Chrissy said. “’Rabid Grandmother feeds grandchildren to giant Rats.’ I don’t think I’ll sleep again.”

“All right, all right.” Mitch just shook his head. “And where are you off to?”

Chrissy shrugged. “Deke’s picking me up.”

“Well, tell him he better come in this time,” Tommy said. “No daughter of mine is dating some hoodlum who pulls up in the yard and revs his engine. I won’t have it. Me or your father.”

Chrissy ignored him, came over to Mitch and gave him a kiss. “Love you, dad.”

“Love you, kid. Be careful, will ya?”

“Always.”

Tommy put his hands on his hips. “Where’s mine? Didn’t I raise you better than that?”

Chrissy pecked him on the cheek.

Mitch watched her go to the door and wait. He found that he could spend hours just staring at her. She was her own person, tough and individualistic, but now and again, he could see Lily in her eyes or hear her in Chrissy’s staccato laugh.

“See you, boys,” she said when Deke pulled up.

“What should we do tonight, father?” Tommy said.

Mitch sighed. “Would you knock it off.”

“We could watch TV or play cards…unless you feel like fooling around a little.”

Mitch sighed. “You are an asshole, Tommy Kastle.”

“You know what my mom said. Go with your strengths.”

Mitch shut his eyes. He missed Lily, but they had a life again, Chrissy and he. And in the greater scheme of things, that would have to be enough. The sky was still blue. And the sun still rose. The birds still sang and Tommy was still a dick.

There was peace in that, now wasn’t there?