landslides and other emotional first

 "Well, it could have been COVID," Charles told his daughter Poppy when she came over to see about him. In his case, it was an awful case of Strep throat. Still, he didn't want to take his chances. "It was the right thing to do, wasn't it?"

He knew Poppy didn't have an answer for him. After all, she'd been rather quiet since getting the engagement ring. He thought she would be happy.

Naturally, she insisted that she was, but he did wonder if she was having second thoughts about Alfie. No way did he want to influence her. This had to be Poppy's decision. In return, it felt she thought the same about Lynsey.

She brought his favorite soup, white bean and ham. They had supper together. The dish went well with the cornbread she made while she was here. Really, she did like spoiling him.

"If you..you do have feelings for her, you shouldn't have let her go," Poppy said mid-way through the meal.

Charles looked at her as if maybe he didn't hear her correctly.

"You were happy when she was here," Poppy looked up at him as if she did want the best for him.

"Oh, but she's a young mother, and she-" He couldn't finish the sentence without getting teary-eyed. "She will work it out."

"But..but she needed you," Poppy told him.

"Oh, but I'm old. Youth is not on my side." He reminded her. "Her son has a father and I want him to know him." Of course, he might have been thinking of himself and how he wished he'd been more of a part of Poppy's life when she was growing up.

"That might be true, but Erro was happiest with you." Poppy smiled. "And I think Lynsey was too."

Charles felt his throat ache with emotion. Oh, he hoped it wasn't COVID after all.