"Haley, it's for you," Mrs. Hanson balanced Zoë on one hip, and the phone in the other hand.

"Thanks," I said and took it from her. She walked in the opposite direction to give me some privacy.

"Hello?" I asked expecting to hear the voice of Mike or Theresa.

"Haley, it's Karen." There was urgency in my sister's voice.

"Hi, Karen. Are you all right?" Something had to be out of place; she hardly ever called here.

"I'm fine, but I need you to come home." I didn't want to leave Tulsa, but I could tell there was more behind Karen's call than just a request for a visit.

"Why? Karie, what's wrong," I urged her to go on.

"It's Daddy. He's not been doing well. In fact, this last month, it's been awful."

"Karen, why didn't you call me sooner? You know I would've come home as soon as I heard from you."

"Oh Haley, you don't want to come home. I know better. I put it off for as long as I could. But Daddy needs his little girl. He keeps asking for you."

I was the baby in the family by miles. All three of my sisters were in high school when I was born. Needless to say, I wasn't planned. But I think since all my sisters weren't little girls anymore, I was looked after more. I got to know both my parents better than the others, because by the time I was old enough to communicate well, they were all either at college or only around for meals. They never spent much time with me. There was just Mama and Daddy.

"It's because of Mama, isn't it?"

"Yeah, Haley. He's just lost the will to live. He'd rather be with her than on Earth. He won't respond to me anymore. He won't eat. I think we're going to have to take him to the hospital. David and I can't handle it by ourselves anymore. Please just come home. Who knows if you'll be able to see him again?" she drifted off. My eyes ached to cry, but I kept the tears in.

"Don't say that, Karen. I'll be there. I don't know how soon I can get in, but I'll be there."

"Will anyone be coming with you?"

"No, I don't think so. Maybe, ah, I don't know. I'll call you the night before I get in."

"All right. Please, Haley, just hurry."

"I will."

"I love you 'lil sis."

"I love you too. Take care of Daddy for me, okay."

"Oh Daddy's not as tough to take care of as David is," she cracked a joke about her husband.

"Tell David to take care of you for me."

"I will, Haley. See you soon."

"Okay Kare-bear, bye."

"Bye." I hung up the phone, and my body got to heavy for my legs to keep holding up. I walked over and sat at the kitchen table, putting my head down. This couldn't be happening. Daddy was always the strong one. I wasn't going to let him give up. He still had a lot of time left over. I couldn't lose him, too.

"You okay?" Taylor sincerely rubbed my shoulders from behind.

"No." I lifted my head up, and Taylor sat across from me."

"What's wrong, Baby?" He sipped his coffee.

"I have to go home," I gasped to keep breathing regularly.

"What? Haley, are you okay?" he asked, alarmed.

"I'm fine, Taylor. I just have to go."

"This isn't about the bridal shower, is it?" I looked up at him, and I could tell he was actually worried the reason might be him.

"No, Taylor. I can handle your practical jokes. I'm sick of them, but I can handle them."

"I'm sorry," he sheepishly smiled. "What is it?"

"It's Daddy. He's not doing well. He's in a constant state of grieving. Karen called asking for help. She says he won't eat or respond to her. She thinks he's going to die." I couldn't get the last sentence out without choking up. I let a tear fall. "Taylor, I have to go be with him." If there's one thing Taylor hates that I do, it's when I cry. He stood up, and coaxed me to stand as well. He put his arms around me tightly.

"It's okay. Shhh. Don't cry, Haley. Please don't." Despite his begging, I couldn't stop. It was one of those cries where you inhale choppy breaths, and let the waterworks go. "Do you want me to go with you?" He rubbed his hand up and down my back.

"No, I can do it myself," I whispered wanting him to object. I'd feel much better if he was there with me.

"No, you're in no shape to go alone. I'll be there for you," he whispered.

"Taylor, thank you." He let me soil his chest. "We have to leave soon."

"I'll get tickets for the soonest flight to Asheville. You can call your sister, so she'll be there when we get in."

"Okay, I'm sorry I have to go and drag you into this. I know you'd rather stay at home," I whimpered.

"No, Haley. I'd rather stay with you. That doesn't matter if at home or across the ocean." He sounded like Cary Grant, but he was serious. I had to break that stone face that he was wearing.

"This doesn't mean I'm forgiving you for the bridal shower, you know," I told him through blurry eyes. He rocked me a little and smiled.

"You don't have to make jokes, Haley. It's okay to be serious," he saw right through me.

"I don't think so," I sighed. Smile though you heart is breaking. Smile even though you're aching goes the song lyric. Goes my motto.

"Then let me rephrase that. It's okay to be honest with yourself." That's my biggest flaw. I looked up at him earnestly.

"I am," I said before thinking. He placed a finger over my lips, and looked at me with narrow eyes. He knew. He would always know.

I've always loved flying. Well, the one time I flew I loved it. My parents could've never afforded plane tickets. I always longed to be up in the air, but tickets were too expensive. I finally got my chance to fly when I was sixteen, and I worked out the money to go to Dallas with my best friend, Elizabeth. Now was the second, and soaring through the clouds, I made a mental to fly more often. I smiled at the attendant who had just told us about the in-flight movie. She seemed surprise that someone would offer her such a gesture, and quickly smiled back.

"You ready to go home?" Taylor asked when he saw my smile.

"Kind of. I miss everything. It won't be the same, though. I just want you to be there with me at all times." I didn't know what I would do if Taylor left my side. I might decide that I didn't want to go back to Tulsa, without him to convince me otherwise. I might get lost, and decide I didn't even want to finish college. Taylor was there to make sure I didn't do that. I didn't trust myself to keep away from temptation.

"Yeah, it will. But you're strong, Haley Morgan. You can take it."

"Yes I can. Ooh, I brought a Snickers bar. Do you want half?"

"Sure, thanks." I split it in two, and handed him the smallest part. "Hey, wait. No fair. You got the bigger piece."

"Beggars can't be choosers," I smirked and settled into the stiff airplane pillow.

"You're beautiful." I don't think he meant to say it, because when I looked up at him, he was blushing profusely.

"I know," I rested my head on his shoulder with a smile. "Sometimes, I just stun myself with my own beauty." He rolled his eyes.

"Your modesty never seizes to amaze me." He draped his arm across my shoulders, and I sunk down to rest my head on his chest.

"Shut up, I'm tired."

"There are words for people like you."

"Like what?" I challenged.

"Breathtaking," he sighed. It was one of those sickeningly sweet moments that came right out of Sleepless in Seattle.

"Don't say that." It was my turn to blush.

"Why not?"

"I don't think I'm worthy."

"You couldn't be more wrong." I closed my eyes. There were no witty remarks or cut downs I could've pulled out. I just took my own advice and shut up.

"Oh Haley, how have you been?" Karen gushed and threw her arms around me. "Tulsa must be treating you well."

"Hey Karen. I'd like you to meet Taylor." Taylor stood uncomfortably, with bags draped around his shoulders.

"Hi Taylor, nice to meet you," she politely shook his hand.

"I've heard so much about you." I rolled my eyes. She has said this to about all of my friends, even though she hasn't really heard a word about them.

"You too," answered an obviously lying Taylor.

"Is David at home?" I stretched out the suitcase handle, and dragged it behind me as I walked.

"Yeah, he's with Daddy."

"Cool."

"I have some news for you, Haley. You're going to love it."

"What?" I smiled.

"I can't tell you now. We have to hold it in until supper. Which reminds me, I cooked ravioli," she grinned. "Your favorite food."

"Oh, that sounds great. I can't wait to hear your news. It's good, I hope."

"Yes, very good."

Karen's always had a nice home, really. She keeps it neat, something I doubt I could ever do. That might be the one thing women get when the become wives--the desire to keep things clean. Sitting across the table, next to Taylor, I watched Karen set the table with such care, afraid to break a dish. David helped her pour drinks, and Daddy sat on my other side, at the end of the table. He hadn't spoken to me. I did see he was surprised I brought Taylor. However, I didn't think he was angry with me. Daddy seemed to like Taylor when he visited the year before.

"Please pass the Italian bread," I told Taylor, and instead of handing me the dish, he served a piece onto my plate himself. I caught Karen's eye, and she winked at me. "I could've done it myself," I whispered. He smiled and put the dish down, folding his napkin in his lap.

"Haley, when are you going to give a little?" he smirked.

"I already give a . . ."

"Please stop this lover's quarrel," Karen announced. I knew I'd destroy her before the night was over. Her tone was vaguely familiar of the way my sisters used to tease me about my boyfriends. I always invited boys over to color and play on the swing set from ages six to eight. Since I was so young, and my sisters were so much older, they ran me in the ground and embarrassed me to no end. I have to say, they might very well be the reason I'm with Taylor now, instead of one of those other boys.

"Karen, I wouldn't . . ." I defended.

"Both of you stop. I'm hungry," Daddy formed words for the first time. He stunned Karen and David. Taylor wasn't sure what to think. But I understood. I knew Daddy would open up once I got there.

"I agree with you, Mr. Morgan," Taylor smiled. He caught my father's eye after the blessing, and my Dad just winked. And he also ate. Karen had told us on the trip home that he hadn't consumed the slightest bit of food in a week. I felt privileged to know that he was eating, because I was there. Karen nudged my foot, and I looked up. She was pleased about Daddy, but too preoccupied with her news to linger on his latest accomplishment.

"Do you like it, Haley?" she smiled.

"Yeah, it's great. Thanks."

"Well, I can't hold it in any longer," she blushed. "David and I have very important news to tell everyone."

"You're pregnant," I predicted.

"Haley, I can't believe you just did that." I could tell from the look on her face that she was royally pissed.

"What? Isn't it true?"

"Well, yes it is. But I wanted to say it myself. It's not everyday you get to announce you're going to have a baby."

"Everyone already knows, Karen. You said you had such brilliant good news. Of course for you that means you're pregnant. I'm happy you're finally going to have a child, but there's no need to be so secret secret." I smiled to myself. I'd gotten even. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. I abided by law.

"Congratulations David," Taylor politely stated. I nudged him with my foot. He was trying so hard to make a good impression. David nodded and grunted a small thanks.

"When's the baby due?" I said after swallowing.

"April 2."

"Oh, well I'm sure you'll be excellent parents," Taylor said. I rolled my eyes. Taylor didn't know what kind of people Karen and David were. They could be psycho killers, and he'd be congratulating them. Karen gushed on about names, and I survived dinner without a scratch.

"Daddy, how are you doing?" I whispered walking into his room, and closing the door. He was lying in his bed, and I sat down near him.

"Karen thinks I'm helpless," he grumbled.

"Can't say that I blame her. She says you've been moping around the house, and not eating."

"I miss Alice." I shuddered at hearing Mom's name. Whenever speaking of her, my sisters and I use Mama. "You look more and more like her everyday," he whispered. My eyes glassy and nose prepared to sniff, I leaned over and put my arms around him. I laid my head on his chest.

"I miss her too," I choked. I wondered what it was like for Daddy to see his own daughter, who resembled his wife more than anyone else in the family. My brown hair and eyes--they were hers. We had the same completion, height, facial features. I think it might've been easier for us to look different.

"I had a dream about her last night," he whispered. "She told me you were coming, and if I moped anymore, she'd give me a good smack across the face," he smiled.

"That sounds like her." My face began to ache from holding the tears in. "I'm glad she made a difference." I let one flow out of my eye.

"You know what tomorrow is, don't you?" I looked up at him. His blue eyes once danced in the moonlight, and now they were tired and weak. His face was pale, and his hair was a bit whiter than when I'd seen it last.

"Yes. It's her birthday," I breathed.

"What did you get her?"

"I didn't really . . . I mean she's . . ."

"I bought her a pearl necklace. She always wanted one when she was still alive. I think you should have it."

"No Daddy. I can't do that."

"You don't have to wear the pearls. I think you know what to do with them, Haley." Amidst my tears, I understood what he wanted me to do.

"I will, Daddy. I'll take them to her tomorrow for her birthday."

"Get fresh flowers. Alice deserves them, not some silk replacement. They don't smell as pretty." I closed my eyes and felt Daddy inhale quickly under my head. I could hear him crying, and it broke my heart.

Someone once told me that when someone you love dies, you don't get over it; you learn to live with it. Breathing in Daddy's scent, I knew it was true. There wasn't a way I'd ever stop thinking of my mother from day to day. She would always be there.

This morning I heard a joke on television, and thought, I'll have to tell that to Mama. She'd love it. It took me a second, but then I remembered I couldn't tell her. I'm keeping a list of things I have to tell Mom once I get to Heaven. She's missing so much up there. When I get there, we're going to have the longest talk we've ever had. I just hope she knows that I love her now. It's strange that she's probably in Heaven talking to her Mama.

"I will. Do you want to come with me to the graveyard?"

"Not tomorrow. I go sometimes, Haley, but I guess I don't want to remember her like that. I'll be with her tomorrow, celebrating another year. You're stronger than me; you can go." He was still as in love with her as the day they'd met. I could tell from his eyes, and the way he smiled with his lips as he spoke about her. He would never fall out of love with her.

"I love you, Daddy. But I want you to know that you've really been scaring Karen. You have to keep eating; you have to stay strong for her . . . and for me. I still need you. And Karen's got a baby coming along. A grandchild, Daddy. You have to keep living on to see her."

"You don't know if it's a girl."

"Yes I do. All of your children were girls, Daddy. This one's going to be a little girl, too. She's waiting to see you." His rough hand moved on my back.

"Another female, huh? I promise you I'll be there to see her."

"Thanks Daddy."

"Shhh. It's late; you need to go to sleep. Taylor, does he have a place to sleep?"

"Yeah, he's using the room beside the kitchen."

"He seems like a nice young man. Do you love him?"

"Yes, Daddy, very much."

"Then don't ever let him go."