Chapter 12 - Arthur Had Chosen Gardening Because He Was Finally Allowed to Be Ordinary
The wedding guests eventually learned:
something happened.
We did not give:
details.
The coordinator announced the ceremony had been canceled for:
personal reasons.
Most people went home.
Some stayed because travel arrangements could not immediately change.
Awkward.
Expensive.
Real.
I changed out of my wedding dress in:
the bridal room.
When I came back, Dad had finally removed:
the reflective vest.
Not because Julian wanted:
him to.
Because the workday was:
finished.
He was still in his gray shirt.
I sat beside him.
“Why didn’t you ever tell Julian?”
“Tell him what?”
“Your rank.”
Dad laughed softly.
“He knew I was Army.”
“Not that you were a general.”
“So?”
I looked at him.
He meant it.
Then:
“Do you know how much time people spend after retirement trying to stay important?”
I said nothing.
“I was important to the Army because I held a position.”
“Then someone else held it.”
“That is how institutions should work.”
He looked toward his hands.
Dirt still beneath:
one fingernail.
“When your mother got sick, rank couldn’t fix anything.”
“After she died, everyone kept calling me General.”
“I didn’t want to be General.”
“I wanted to plant something and have it either grow or not grow without caring who I used to be.”
I started crying.
Dad looked alarmed.
“Why are you crying?”
“I almost married an idiot.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
“Dad.”
“What?”
“You could soften it.”
“Wedding’s canceled.”
“No reason to lie anymore.”
I laughed through:
tears.
May you like
That was my father.
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