The Magic Roundabout: Part II

It was fortunate that Peter was an auto mechanic.  His new car had a few minor issues come up but he was able to fix them.  Marie enjoyed driving the car and she jokingly told her father she was looking forward to taking it to school when she left later that year. 

Peter looked at her for a moment, unaware of the jest.  He loved his daughter but he really liked his car.  He decided in his mind that he would let her take the car if she felt she needed it.  As he was about to express this to her, Marie laughed and said, “Daddy, I’m joking.  I don’t need a car when I’m on campus.  Besides, I’m only an hour and a half away and have friends who can take me around and back home when they go home on weekends.” 

“Just so you know that you mean more to me than the car.  You can have it if you want it.  You’ll have to pay the insurance but I can find another car.”

“Daddy, I don’t want a car.  I’d rather focus on school and saving as much money as possible.”

Graduation came and went and summer flew by much faster than Peter wanted.  Marie looked forward to starting college but also had some fear of the unknown.  She repeatedly told herself that she would be close to home.  She had a safety net.  Peter, who faced an empty home, chose to ignore the thought and poured himself into his work.  Soon enough, the day for Marie to move into her dorm was upon them.

Peter was able to borrow a van from the garage where he worked.  They planned to load the van that day and leave for the college the next morning.  Tensions were high since both of them were anxious about the day that loomed ahead.  Consequently, they got onto each other’s nerves.  There were arguments the whole afternoon.  After a pizza dinner, Kate, one of Marie’s friends, arrived.  She helped load a couple boxes and then invited Marie to her house to hang out “one last time” before Marie left in the morning. 

Peter wanted to spend as much time with Marie as possible and he wanted to forbid her to be with her friend.  Still, he had no reason not to allow it other than his own selfishness.  Therefore, he let her go.  He considered telling her to be home early but since the college was close, they didn’t have to be on the road very early.  They could leave as late as noon and still get everything done.  They merely were doing an early start so they could take their time and not feel rushed or stressed.

Marie left with Kate and Peter cleaned up the take out box of pizza and paper plates and straightened out the kitchen.  In his heart, he still didn’t want to face the fact that his little girl was leaving.  Ever since his wife died, Marie was all he had and he poured everything he had into his daughter.  He knew all along that he wanted his child to one day be a productive member of society.  He wanted her to be someone who gave and didn’t take.  As he got into bed, he realized that, so far, he had succeeded in that regard. 

While not a star athlete or straight A student, people liked and respected Marie.  She was someone who stood up for others when they needed it.  She wasn’t afraid to stick to her principles even when the majority was against her.  She worked hard at the jobs she had over the years and applied herself in school.  She was well liked by her peers, teachers, and people at the church she attended.  While Peter typically didn’t attend church, he would from time to time for Marie’s sake. 

With a satisfied but saddened heart, Peter began drifting off to sleep when Marie entered the house.  She came to the door of her father’s bedroom and softly said, “I’m home, daddy.”

“Thank you, sweetie.”

“I love you, daddy.”

“I love you, too.  More than you know and I very proud of you.”