was with Jonathon, the one who had been there for her more recently, the one who cared deeply for her. She knew they were falling in love.
Within a few days, the couple left for school and Karen’s visits home came less frequently, relying more on phone calls to bridge the distance.
On those occasional visits, when she tried to bring up Jonathon, Travis only turned a deaf ear; it hurt to know that another man had taken his place although he never admitted it.
Sadly, when Karen and Jonathon were married just two years later, her dad did not attend the ceremony. After the wedding, moving to California, she tried to maintain contact through phone calls, cards and letters but there was always this friction between them. She felt she was putting out all the effort and getting little in return, so she justified her decision to limit contact with her dad by reasoning that she and Jonathon ran a very successful real estate agency, and the pressures of running the business took up most of her time.
Her husband loved her dearly, feeling the same disappointment from dwindling contact with Travis, but any time Jonathon encouraged her to communicate with her Father, he was often met with steely resistance.
Harry, pondering Travis’ sudden change of heart, was surprised to hear his good friend and employer admit he might be wrong and ask to see his daughter again.
“And, I want you to call Jake Turner and explain the changes in my will.”
Harry’s guard immediately went up at the mention of the attorney; there was something about that man he did not trust. He knew Travis had been very impressed with the young attorney, recently out of law school, when he interviewed him to take over his account. He had come well recommended by John Hawkins, one of the partners in the law firm where Jake worked. John had always handled his account, but he was distributing responsibilities to others in the office due to impending retirement. Travis arranged a meeting with Jake and went away with a satisfying feeling that John’s replacement was a trustworthy young man.
Just a few months ago, when Travis was told that he had terminal cancer and didn’t have long to live, Jake had been very helpful in arranging his financial situation so that he wouldn’t have to worry about his medical and living expenses. Travis delegated affairs to the new attorney, knowing he would take care of any matters that might come up.
But Harry had heard some rumors that Jake might be dismissed from the law firm. The partners were disappointed in his work and he was away from the office more and more frequently. His clients were beginning to phone in and complain.
Acknowledging this developing dependence on Jake, Harry was concerned, and, with the stories floating around, he made a mental note to check the latest bank statements.
When Harry suffered a heart attack five years ago, Travis asked him to move in. Looking back, it was a gesture that benefited both men. Now that they were retired from the insurance business, Harry’s duties were to oversee the house and Travis. Unofficially, they enjoyed the companionship and took care of each other. Their loyalty went beyond the normal boundaries of friendship.
“Harry, were you listening to me?”
Hearing the question, he jumped slightly, his concentration broken. Travis had his full attention. The concern about the bank statements was pushed into the recesses of his mind and memory.
Harry gathered his thoughts and concentrated on what had just been said. “Of course, Travis. I’ll make the call tomorrow morning.” But, as he picked up his book and began to read, he was soon lost in the story, his desire to check the statements and the request to make a call to Jake Turner forgotten entirely.
CHAPTER THREE
In the days that followed, Harry utilized every spare minute to care for Travis and to ready the house for Karen’s stay. When he talked with her, she had indicated that she would wind up some business affairs and then catch the next available flight to see her father; there had been no reluctance in her voice.
A self-satisfied smile crossed his face when he remembered the talks he had had with Travis over the last few weeks, urging him to ‘set things right with Karen’. At first Travis had been very resistant, roaming around the house in a foul mood, criticizing everything and everyone in his way. As the weeks wore on, Harry noticed him becoming more introspective, indicating inner turmoil, and his demeanor showed it.
Then, the surprising request to summon Karen! At this, he let out a sigh and said a silent prayer that Travis would hang around until his daughter arrived. He knew time was short.
* * * * *
A form, so small that the bed coverings enveloped all but a frail, wizened head, Travis shifted ever so slightly. Karen jerked awake and studied the fragile, old man who stirred in his sleep. Her Dad, how different he looked now! Gone was the powerful, towering man who made weaker people pale in comparison. In his place lay the still shape of human life, ebbing with each gasp of air. She knew his time was near. She wrapped her arms around her chest and without knowing she was doing it, she took long, deep breaths and tried to transpose them into his struggling frame. Her breaths came deeper and longer, calmer, until she no longer wished them into his body; they just became involuntary.
She thought about the last week and how their relationship had come to a new crossroads. Travis Morton was a stubborn man; that’s for sure! Since her mother’s death, Karen had felt the depth and magnitude of his control. She knew that he loved her, but at times felt almost like a business acquisition. For now, the person in the bed presented a totally different impression-dependent on her in every way, a shadow of his former self. She reached down to touch his hand. So cold! Helplessness enveloped the room, stemming from the feeling that there was nothing she could do to change this situation; it also came from the inevitable state of his body.
“Karen”, her father whispered. She bent over until her face could feel the faint exhalation of life seeping from his lips.
“Yes, Dad. What is it?”
His chest lifted with one final effort as he said one word, “sorry”, and then Travis Morton settled into the pillow and left this earth for a better place and time.
She laid her head down in her father’s lap and wept for all the remembrances, both happy and sad, and for the loss of her only remaining parent. She wept for the futility of the time the two of them spent estranged. Looking on in spirit, Travis lingered, making a promise to be there for her in death, knowing now how much he missed by not being there for her in life.
CHAPTER FOUR
A small circle of friends gathered in the misty rain to pay their respects to Travis Morton. Karen stood slightly apart from the group, unaware of others until Harry walked up and put his hand gently on her shoulder. Turning, she offered a grateful smile as her eyes filled with tears. He slid his arm down around her waist, tenderly holding onto her. While they stared silently at the newly-dug gravesite, two men stood at a respectful distance, waiting to lower Travis Morton into his final resting place. Karen glanced over at the tombstone situated to the right of the casket. The inscription read, “Elizabeth Morton, beloved wife and mother. Born December 2, 1940, died August 14,199I”. “So young,” Harry whispered. “You know, your father really loved her…and you.” Karen looked up into his face and nodded, one small tear trailed down her cheek.
“Do you want me to walk with you to the car?”
