The Cabin by the Lake

I walked down the street clinging my scarf closer to my neck. It was a cold day at the end of February. I stood in front of the homeless shelter taking deep breaths...what if he wasn't here? The guys were in Carolina for a game which gave me plenty of time to...to do what? I wasn't even sure why I was here. The door opened and I jumped back, a mother and her son walked out and she smiled at me. "We don't judge here, go on in. Stay warm and get a nice meal." I smiled, "I'm not...I'm just looking for someone..." She smiled, knowing my intention wasn't to be rude. "Well go in anyways. It's pretty chilly out." She gave a small smile and her son smiled at me too. "I like your scarf." I smiled at his compliment. "Thank you, I made it myself." He looked sad and up at his mom, "I wish I could make my mom something like that..." His mothers eyes went sad, I had to do something..."If it's okay with your mom...maybe one day I can show you how I made it? You can use some of my yarn and make her something..." The little boy, he must had been about 10 or 11, smiled and looked up at his mom. "We don't want you char-" But I cut her off, "It's not. I honestly don't mind, and if I find the person I'm looking for, I might be around more often." She smiled and grabbed her son's hand and I watched them walk across the street.
I opend the doors and scanned the room, there weren't a lot of people there today. I scanned each table, but I couldn't see him..."Excuse me..." I turned to see and older woman smiling at me. "You can sit anywhere!" I smiled back to her, "I'm just looking for someone..." She nodded, "feel free to look around then!" I smiled back and walked around, but still no sign. I'm waiting my time, I thought, why am I even here? But then I saw him. Serving food to the others. The woman came next to me again, "That's Steve, he's such a sweet guy. He serves other before he feeds himself." I nodded, "Thank you." I walked over to the line and stood there, the cross still around his neck. His blue eyes looked up at me, and he dropped the spoon he was using to scoop out eggs. He took off his apron and walked over to me. "Get your food first, we can talk while you eat." He just nodded and I sat at a table. A few minutes later he brought back two plates and two hot teas. "I know it's nothing fancy, but I'd like to enjoy one good meal with you." I smiled at his gesture, and accepted the plate and drink. We ate in silence at first. I wasn't sure what to say. "You grew up beautifuly Emily." My heart dropped, "Thank you." I felt like he was a stanger, I have his DNA and he's a stanger. My heart sank further as I thought about Ryan and how together his family is...and Zac and how warming his family is..."What have you been up to?" He broke my train of thought and I shrugged, "I graduated college...I work for the Bruins now." He smiled, "I remember." I looked down at my plate, "Sorry about that..." He laughed a heartly laugh, "You wouldn't be my daughter if you didn't!" A laugh escaped my mouth and it surprised me. "Hows your brother? Did he finish college too?" I put my fork down and shook my head, "Technically yes...he entered the military...he..." Steve grabbed my hand, tears swelled in my eyes. "How did it happen?" I squeezed his hand. "Saving people." He kept holding my hand, "My son and daughter ended up nothing like me or their mother, and you both have made me so proud."

We continued eating and lightly talking. I told him about my job and grandma's cabin, but not the location. I told him about my friends getting married and how I took Sam from my mother. I told him about Pat and our relationship and he was happy I was in a good relationship now. "Let's go for a walk, I want to show you something." He put our teas in togo cups and I followed him to a small church. "I've been sober for a while now. A couple years actually...This business woman had given me $50 one night, I told her I had a job interiew and needed to clean up...but I used that money to buy booze. I got so drunk I don't remember making it to Boston. I was living on the street of Lowell, you know? But here I was, waking up on these steps. The preist came out and offered me water, he explained I was in Boston and let me stay the night to be warm. But I didn't care, I wanted more booze and drugs. But then...he asked me about my family, what they were up to. I told him I didn't know, but they were better off without me. He brought me up to the alter and handed me this knecklace. 'We are all God's children. He looks out for us and in return we look out for others.' That cross has not come off my neck since. I work for this church now, I volunteer at the homelessshelter. I want to help those who suffer more than I am. Emily...I've worked hard. I've paid my due's..." I held his hand and we sat on the steps. "Mom hasn't changed...and I thought you never would...but I think you have..." He put both hands on mine and smiled, "You've created a great life for yourself." I smiled back, "It doesn't feel good sometimes..." He did a small laugh, "Boy troubles?" I laughed harder than expected and nodded, "How'd you know?" He helped me stand up, "I've learned to look into a woman's eyes to see what she's thinking. Your eyes are conflicted." I nodded, "You need to put yourself first Emily. You need to do what is best for you, not what is best for others...and then you will be happy...and then you will do what is best for others." I stood there, quietly, how did my neglectful father turn into such a knowledgeable man? "I'm not sure...I'm not sure how much you've changed. I want to trust what you say but..." He smiled, "Seeing is believing?" I nodded. "Come to the church tonight. We host a dinner every Friday. Give me the chance to show you." I smiled but paused...do I really trust this man? "Okay...I'll be here." He smiled and squeezed me hand before letting it go. "Thank you Emily. You've made me a very happy man." I watched him go into the church, and I felt...lighter.

I stood infront of the steps watching poeple enter. I took a deep breath and walked up the steps, my heart pounded as I came closer. The pews were put to the side and the aisles were replaces with long tables. The front of the church was a serving station of food and drinks; it smelt amazing. "Emily!" I heard Steve's voice behind me. He was showered and he shaved. His hair was pulled back and his clothes were covered by an apron. "Please follow me." He brought me to a chair, "I'll be serving the food at first, but please make yourself comfortable." I smiled, "Would I...be able to take pictures? The church could use them?" He smiled even wider now, "That would be amazing...let me intorduce you to Father Barry." I followed him to the front and was introduced to the man who changed my father. "Emily...it's so wonderful to finally meet you." We shook hands, "I have to get to serving, Emily please take any pictures you'd like!" I watched Steve run to the front, "He made all this food you know." I looked at the assorted foods, "Really?" Father Barry smiled, "When he came to me, I brought him to a homeless shelter, at first he didn't do much...but then he learned from God to serve others. So he did just that...He came up with the idea of doing Friday dinners at the church, and he wanted to make all the food...the first few times we ended up having to order pizza...but then a fellow memeber taught him how to cook, just a few things, and since then he has gotten cook books and really excelled. It's become his passon." I watched him dish out the food. I mentioned to Father Barry that I was a photographer and he was more than happy to let me take photographs. My pictures were indescribable. Everyone was happy, everyone was enjoying the company. The poor mingled with the rich, it was a perfect Utopia. I took a lot of photographs of Steve serving the food and smiling, recieving compliments on how great it tasted. I watched as Steve had his helpers get their food while he tried to serve everyone else. I grabbed an apron and put on gloves, "Would you like an extra hand?" Steve smiled widely, and I stood next to him serving mashed potatoes, green beans and bread. Everything smelt amazing, and my stomach started to rumble. "Grab something to eat Em." I smiled, "Not until I serve you." He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, like this is the most generous offer he's gotten his whole life. He took off his apron and grabbed a plate, "Thank you." was all he could whisper.

The next week consisted of home games and a lot of practice. Ryan and I got minimal time together, but it seemed like Zac had time for me. I showed him pictures from the church dinner and talked his ear off about Steve. I had made plans to see Steve more and create a relationship with him. After a win from the Blackhawks Ryan came over to stay the night. I started to show him the pictures, and he enjoyed seeing them but his enthusiasm wasn't as noticable as Zac's was. "I was thinking...of asking him out to dinner...to meet you..." Ryan smiled, "Your homeless father? You don't think he just wants your money?" I shook my head, taken back by his comment, "no at all...he's not like that." Ryan shrugged, "I'll go with you...but I think he just wants your money...or he knows you're dating a sports player and wants to corrupt that system." I shook my head, "no..he's not thinking that Ry." He kissed my cheek, "maybe not, but it's it weird that he came into your life after you've become established?" I shook my head, "I looked for him." Ryan got under the covers, "It just sees weird to me." I got up to brush my teeth and to clear my head from Ryan. What he was saying couldn't be true...could it?

Notes

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