A Year of Chance

Chapter 5

Bob was sixty and robust for his age. The saying that sixty was the new middle age was right in his case. He was balding but still looked like he was only in his late thirty’s or early forties. He was wearing a bright blue shirt that pulled the green out of his hazel eyes and a pair of khaki slacks. Like Deanna usually did, he wore his diabetic tennis shoes.

As Bob was washing the last of the dishes and putting them in the dish rack to dry, two hands slipped around his waist and squeezed in a tight hug. “I love you Daddy.” Deanna whispered into his back. He turned around and hugged her back.

“I love you too, Babygirl.” He said as he smelled her soft hair and kissed her on the forehead. He nuzzled her neck and nibbled lightly. She giggled as he tickled her ribs gently. “Well, are you ready to go and seize the day?” She nodded and released him. They both headed to the hall where Deanna and Bob both grabbed a jacket in case it would rain again. Then Deanna picked up her purse and Bob grabbed his keys out of the sea shell bowl. He thought about grabbing the change, but decided against it. They both checked to make sure they each had a phone in hand or pocket and walked out the door.

Bob locked the front door as Deanna made her way to the car. Since Bob was going with her, he would be driving. He was more comfortable being the one to drive as Deanna had only had a driver’s license for a short five years. Deanna had always been afraid to learn to drive and it wasn’t until she felt she had to at thirty-one years of age that she finally learned and received her license. Deanna sat in the front passenger seat and waited for Bob. When he got into the driver’s seat, he turned to her and gently took her face in his hands to make her look at him. “We Will Get Through This” He stated emphatically. He kissed her firmly on the lips and let go of her face. Then he turned the key in the ignition and proceeded to turn the car around on the street. Off they went to the local cancer center to hear the results of all the tests.