Free Strange Magic by Gord Rollo Page A

down his scratched cheeks. The world was a far better place for him when his daughter was safely in his arms, as if she released him from his heavily burdened conscience. For the few brief moments they hugged, he was no longer a pathetic drunk, the laughingstock of the town, but simply her father, a man who in her big lovely eyes could do no wrong.
    “I missed you, sweetie,” he whispered in complete honesty, setting her gently back on the grass. “I’ve been pretty busy lately. Sorry I haven’t been around.”
    “That’s okay, Daddy. You’re here now and you never have to go away again.”
    She reached up and grabbed hold of his hand as she spoke. Her tiny fingers gripped him firmly, as if hoping the force of her hold on him might somehow make her words come true. Wilson smiled, thinking how wonderful life would be if only things were that easy. Children have such a magical way of simplifying things. It’s the grown-ups who screw up and complicate everything. Still, he would have given anything to make his little girl’s wish come true.
    “Well, I’m not sure about never having to go away, but I can promise you we’re going to spend the whole day together. You, me, and Mommy. How does that sound?”
    “Fantastic!” she squealed, finally releasing his hand to dash over and excitedly hug her mother.
    Over Amanda’s snuggling head, Susan lifted her eyes to meet Wilson’s. The teary-eyed look she gave him said everything. Without a word being passed, they knew they had to keep trying to work out their problems, for their daughter’s sake more than their own. Amanda was now the driving force; she was living proof their love was worth fighting for and saving. For her, they had to be willing to overcome all obstacles, to move heaven and earth if necessary.
    Together, they said good-bye to the Hendersons before piling into the small Honda for the short drive home. For the remainder of the day they simply hung out around the house, relaxing, laughing, and goofing around. It was a priceless, unforgettable afternoon, just like they used to enjoy before he drank himself out the front door.
    After a delicious supper of barbecued pork chops,Wilson’s favorite, the inevitable time of departure was at hand. When they’d first broken up, they’d made an agreement on visiting rights. He could stop over anytime he wanted, but it was an unwritten rule he leave no later than eight o’clock. He badly wanted to stay, but didn’t bother to ask, hating it but knowing it wasn’t an option. Remarkably, they accepted his leaving better than he did. The three of them, Amanda to a lesser degree, understood they’d made a few small steps in the right direction today and taking it slow was probably a good idea.
    Susan drove him home, accompanied by Amanda, who hung over the front seat holding her father’s hand. The dilapidated house he rented on Morgan Avenue always depressed him, but he put on a brave face as he kissed his wife and daughter good-bye. He was climbing out of the passenger side when Susan grabbed his arm and pulled him back inside the car.
    “Would you maybe like to come to church tomorrow morning? Maybe Father Harris can help us build on today. What do you say?”
    Wilson wasn’t sure. He didn’t mind going and it would certainly be great to spend more time with his family, but Father Harris worried him greatly. Patrick Harris took every opportunity to drill Kemp on the sins of alcohol. He meant well, of course, but it wasn’t the kind of speech Wilson felt like listening to so early in the morning. He hesitated for a moment and thought about politely declining the offer until he noticed the hope dancing in their eyes.
    “I’d love to,” he replied. “What time?”
    They agreed to meet on the front steps of St. Michael’s at a quarter to ten the following morning. Withthat settled, he turned once more to leave. This time it was his daughter who caught his arm.
    “Daddy?” she timidly asked. “I’ve