“Okay. Open them.” I could hear the excitement in Luke’s voice. I moved my palms away from my eyes and sitting there looking at me was a small golden puppy.
“Oh my God!” I squealed, kneeling down. The puppy ran over to me and covered me in big, wet kisses.
“This is Poppy. Poppy, meet my wonderful girlfriend and hopefully your future mama.” Luke knelt down and Poppy jumped on his lap. “So I was down at the sunflower field watching the sunrise before work when I saw a paper bag moving near the stand. I walked over and this little rascal had her head stuck inside the bag looking for scraps. I took her to my car and shared my poppy seed bagel with her. You should have seen her gnawing on that thing. I hung around until Mrs. Edwards opened up shop and she said some guy was trying to get someone to buy her earlier yesterday. When she told him no thank you he left but he must’ve left the dog behind. She told me if I wanted her she was all mine.” Luke gently pet her and I could see the love in his eyes.
“She’s precious.” I said, as Poppy began to quitely snooze on Luke’s lap.
“You know it’s crazy. I found her in the sunflower field. You know where my parents got married and my uncle always used to tell me stories about how he and my mom had a golden retriever when they were younger and she was my mom’s best friend. It’s like my mom sent her down to me or something.” I could see Luke’s eyes welling up. He quickly wiped them. “I know you probably think I’m crazy but I feel like both my parents are constantly communicating with me.”
I shook my head. “Not crazy at all. I completely believe in that stuff. They love you, of course they’re communicating with you.”
Luke continued to caress Poppy. “I talk to them every morning. That’s why I go to the sunflower field to watch the sunrise.”
“I think that’s great Luke,” I said sitting down next to him. I leaned my head on his shoulder and we were interrupted by my phone ringing.
“Hello?” I picked up my phone, excited to finally hear from my dad. I had barely heard from him since the start of the summer. He had been on a business trip in China for the past few months.
“Hi Sutton.” My dad’s deep voice was heard on the other end. “How are you honey?”
“I’m good dad. How are you doing?”
“Oh. Good. Good. You know, busy with work but I miss you a lot.”
“I miss you too dad.” I replied.
“How’s Gia? Is she there?”
“She’s good but oh no, not right now. I’m uh, I’m at a friend’s house at the moment.” I bit my lip hoping my dad would leave it at that.
“Not a boyfriend right? I don’t need to come down there and kick any asses.” I just giggled. “So. I just got home from China and I have a few days free before I head out again on another trip. Do you have a little time to spare for your old dad?”
“That’s awesome! Of course, I do dad; when can you come down?”
“I was thinking tomorrow afternoon and I can make it a long weekend and stay until Monday?”
“That sounds great!” I said. “It’s a plan then! Oh and Sutton?”
“Yes, dad?” “I will be meeting that boyfriend of yours.” I coughed a little bit. “What’s his name?” He asked.
“Luke,” I said, glancing over at him. Luke pointed to himself and mouthed the words “me?”
“I look forward to meeting Luke too.” My dad said with a gulp. “Love you, Sutton.”
“I love you too dad,” I said, hanging up the phone.
“Your dad’s coming to visit?” Luke said, his eyes basically popping out of his skull.
“Yes and he can’t wait to meet you.” Luke ran his hand through his hair. “Don’t be nervous he’ll love you,” I said with complete confidence.
“You think?” He said.
“I know,” I replied, kissing him square on the forehead.
The next day around noon my dad pulled up in his dodge charger. My mom waved from the door and told us to have a good time. My dad hopped out of the car in a full suit. Gia ran into his arms and he scooped her up, kissing her on the cheek. He put her down and brought me in for a big bear hug.
“I’m so happy to see you dad.”
“I’m so excited to see my two girls.” He said kissing us each on the head. “Now where can a guy get some lunch around here? I’m starving.”
“Oh, I know!” Gia yelped with excitement. “The Pizza Shack! On the boardwalk! Luke works there!” She said jumping up and down. I felt my heart flutter when she said his name. I looked at my dad to try to read him.
“Luke huh?” He replied. “Let’s hit it.”
We walked into the Pizza Shack and there Luke was behind the counter, taking orders. He had a pen tucked behind his ear and was bent down low handing a little girl a lollipop. Gia pulled on the side of dad’s suit and whispered to him “That’s Luke daddy.” Pointing towards the counter. My dad sighed but had a smile on his face.
We approached the counter and got into line. Luke was so focused he hadn’t noticed us yet. When
