Me: Father?

Father: Yes, my Child?

Me:  You know it really bugs me when you say that.

Father: Why?

Me: I dunno. It’s just so…I dunno.  Personal.

Father: You’d rather I be impersonal?

Me: Well no. That’s not it.

Father: Then what?

Me: It’s sooo…close.

Father: Close?

Me: Yeah, like – intimate or something. Like I’m some sorta kid that needs to sit in Daddy’s lap.  I’m a grown man, ya know. 49 years old!

Father: Ooooo – you’re soooo big! Growing up so fast.

Me: Hey now!

Father:  Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Me: So anyways, it just seems so…familiar.

Father: Like I’m too familiar with you?

Me:  Yeah, like too…too… I dunno. Just too – something.

Father:  You want me to address in more formal terms?

Me: Well, no…

Father: …because that would be a step backward.

Me: I know.

Father: And I’ve gone through great pains to accessible to you.

Me: Yes, but..

Father: And I’ve not demanded you approach ME in formal terms.

Me: That’s true…

Father: …and you know I have every right to.

Me: I know.

Father: You DO remember who you are speaking to – correct?

Me: I do.

Father: No, I don’t think you do.

Me: Are you angry?

Father: You’ve never seen me angry.

Me: I don’t think I want to!

Father: How many times have I spoken to you in anger?

Me: Um…

Father: You’ve known me since when?

Me: I believe I was seven when we first started this walk.

Father: So 42 years.  So how many times?

Me: I can’t remember.

Father: I think you do.

Me: I mean, I can’t remember a single time you were angry with me.

Father: That’s right – because I haven’t been.

Me: That’s pretty incredible.

Father: And how many times have you come to me when angry?  Spoken to me in anger?

Me: I uh…I really don’t recall.

Father: I think you do.

Me: I mean I can’t recall how many times.  Way to many to count. A LOT. I get angry – a lot.

Father: I know.

Me: …

Father: So what did you want to talk about?

Me: I don’t know. I think I was angry about something.

Father: Yeah, you were.

Me: How did you know?

Father: I could see it on your face.

Me: I’m that easy to read?

Father:  Yeah, a Father knows his owns kids.

Me:  HERE we go again…

Father: Want to talk about it?

Me: Nah, I can’t even really remember what it was.

Father: Then what do you want to do?

Me: Is it ok if I just sit here with you awhile?

Father:  Always.

Me: …

Father: …

Me: I love flowers.

Father: Me too…