I glanced around uncomfortably, trying to ignore the bothersome ticking of the grandfather clock.  Finally, I asked:

       “Don’t you ever get tired of this place?” He looked around.

       “Not really…”

       “Oh,” I replied, not meaning to say anything.

       “Why?”  

       “Well, I just thought that after a while, with the same schedule, you’d want a change.”

       “Why would I want a change? I’m happy here. Mary comes to visit me most every day with Shirley,” I looked at my watch, once remembering when the poodle had snatched it out of my hand and had ended up breaking it. Mary had apologized numerous times and no matter how many “It’s okay, really,” she kept on persisting on making it up. I had no choice but to allow her to take me shopping for a new watch.  Luckily, this one has survived.  

       “You have somewhere to be?” he asked me, clinking his glass of tea down on the table.

       “Actually, no,” I smiled.

       “What ever happened to your ‘big’ articles you had to write?” He eyed me playfully. I chuckled quietly.  

       “The newspaper doesn’t keep me prisoner, you know?” I rhetorically asked. “I’m allowed to take a brake once in a while. I just choose to spend it with you.  Do you have a problem with that?”

       “No, I just that thought—“

       “Enough about me dad. I want to hear from you. It’s been how long since I last saw you?”

       “3 months,” he quickly answered. I bit my lip, feeling a wave of guilt hit me. I had been so consumed by work that I had completely forgotten my own father.  How terrible of a daughter was I?