Steve had been right about one thing. Life had a way of unfolding unexpectedly, propelling you through a door you would never have opened to a place you were destined to be. Sometimes it dragged you kicking and screaming , bestowing lessons you would never have chosen to learn because the price was so dear. Pain was a great teacher, a respected friend once told him. And some memories were like barbed wire. They could snag you if you weren't careful.
Adding to Steve's distress was the last thing Jack intended, but he could read him well enough to know that he had, and that pained him. In spite of their differences through the years, in many ways Steve had been like a son to him. From the very beginning of their relationship, there was something about "the kid" as he called him that he found endearing, an affable, roguish charm perhaps combined with the fact that he had no family of his own. The womanizing remained a non-issue as long as it didn't interfere with work, at least until Sara entered the picture. Though Jack stopped short of an absolute edict, he left no doubt about his concerns and wishes. Steve's respectful response was reassuring, and things went along smoothly between them until the day he spotted a bit of tell-tale evidence in his co-star's trailer.
He had a sinking feeling when he picked up the sunglasses, an expensive brand he happened to know. "Nice. They're a little feminine, don't you think?"
Steve looked flustered. "They belong to a friend. Here, I'll take them."
Jack ignored his outstretched hand, focusing on the monogram instead. "SKR. I'll see that she gets them." He put the glasses in his shirt pocket and took a deep breath to try and control his anger. "How long has this been going on?"
"It's not what you're thinking..."
"Are you saying you're not sleeping together?"
"Uh...no...I can't lie to you, Jack."
"You can't lie to me but you had no problem with deceiving me, letting me think there was nothing between you two." It was a struggle keeping his voice down. "How could you? You could have had your pick of any number of beautiful women willing to throw themselves at your feet. Why did you have to pick her? Was it because I asked you not to? Did it give you a thrill to seduce my daughter right under my nose?"
"Okay, that's enough." Steve's brow creased into an angry scowl. "First of all, this is not about you. This is about Sara and me, and I happen to love her."
"Oh, spare me, please! You'll be in love with her until the next one comes along, just like the others."
"Not this time. This is different, I swear. She's the one, Jack."
"How do you know?"
"How does anybody know? I just do. I know it more every day. Sara's the best thing that ever happened to me."
Steve looked so sincere, and Jack wanted so desperately to believe him. "God help you if you're lying."
"I'm not."
Jack pulled the sunglasses from his pocket and stared at them for a moment before handing them back. "Here. Maybe you ought to be the one to give them to her."
"Thanks. I'm sorry, Jack. I should have come and talked to you when first I realized my feelings for Sara. I guess I've gotten into the habit of taking the easy way, but it was the wrong way. I wish I could undo it, because I want everything to be right between us for her sake."
"I appreciate that, but I have to be honest with you. I'm not at all convinced you're the right man for her."
"Well, I'm going to do everything I can to try and change your mind. I just hope you'll open it enough to give me the chance."
"You think I can't be open-minded?"
"I think it's hard for you to be objective where she's concerned, and sometimes...maybe you're a little naive."
"How so?"
"Well, you've made it pretty clear that you think I'm too 'experienced' for Sara, but you're forgetting that she's almost twenty two years old."
"I know how old she is."
"My point is, she's not a little girl, and there is nothing I can teach her that she doesn't already know. Do I need to say more?"
"Please don't."
Steve's smile seemed more from sympathy than amusement. "You're her father, and she'll always be your girl. Even I know how lucky you are to have each other. But do yourself a favor and don't put her on a pedestal, because that's not fair to either one of you. Let her be what she is. She's not a saint; she's a woman. Not perfect, but close enough, at least for me."
tbc
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com