Parade
November 1975
Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow, Rollin thought as he walked into the theatre. He was excited about Jennifer and Cinnamon flying in tonight. They had visited him often during the run of the show, but their visits had been made more difficult when Jen had started school in September. He missed them both, terribly. He had Thanksgiving Day off and was taking them to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade just as he had done when he was a child.
They would be arriving Wednesday night while he was onstage. He had tried to get Cinnamon to take a later flight, but she had insisted that they could get to his apartment from the airport. Still, he wished he could meet their plane.
He knew he would be preoccupied for the show that night. His mind was on autopilot with the play drawing to a close next month. It had been a good run, but he would be glad to move onto the next challenge. He hoped that it would take him back to LA so he could be with his family, but it seemed things didn’t always work out that way.
As the curtain fell, Rollin was off stage before it touched the boards. He quickly removed his costume and makeup. He pulled on his clothes and jacket and made a hasty exit quickly wishing his fellow cast members a Happy Thanksgiving.
He grabbed a cab a block from the theatre and was home in nothing flat. He took the elevator to the fourth floor and strode down the hall to his door. He slipped the key in the lock and opened the door as he heard Jennifer’s cry, “Daddy!”
He moved inside as the five-year old child bounded across the room and jumped into his arms. “Hey kiddo!” He said twirling her around the room. He hugged her, kissed her cheek and sat her down. “You have gown a foot since September.” He said looking down at her.
“Just an inch, Daddy.”
Cinnamon rose from the sofa as she watched them. His eyes found hers as he moved to her. “Hi beautiful.” He said appreciatively of her blue silk lounging attire.
She smiled up at him as they embraced. Rollin sighed, taking in her scent as he pulled her against him. She pulled back from him, caressing his cheek and she kissed him softly. “Hi handsome. How was the show? You’re early.”
“Good.” He answered as Jennifer took his hand.
“Daddy, I got to go see the pilot and look what he gave me.” She said proudly displaying a pair of gold wings pined to her pj’s.
“That’s terrific, Honey. Did they let you fly the plane this time?” He asked.
Jennifer laughed. “Nooo.”
Rollin smiled at his daughter and glanced over at Cinnamon who watched them as he listened to Jen tell him about their flight. It was like they had never been apart. They were two of a kind.
He removed his coat as Jennifer pulled him down on the sofa to sit with them.
“Are we going to see all the balloons tomorrow?” She asked seriously.
Rollin nodded, “Absolutely.”
“Snoopy too.”
“Snoopy too.” He repeated.
“Yea!” She pounded her feet against the cushions.
Rollin moved his arm behind Cinnamon. “It’s all she has talked about for weeks.” She informed him.
Rollin smiled that lop-sided grin, “It’s all I’ve thought about for a week, too.” He replied as his hand caressed her shoulder.
She met his eyes and saw his love for them reflected here.
“Are you hungry?” She asked.
“You cooked?”
She shot him a look. “I can be good in a pinch. Besides I see you stocked up.”
“To be honest, Maria called and gave me a list.” He confessed.
“Daddy, Maria wanted to come with us, but Consuelo called and she went to
“It’s nice that Maria gets to spend Thanksgiving with family, just like we do.”
“Maria is family too Daddy.”
Rollin pulled Jen close. “I know she is Pumpkin. She takes good care of you, doesn’t she?”
“Mommy too.”
Rollin leaned back against the cushions. He was back where he belonged between the two women he loved more than anyone else in the world. He listened as Jen went on about her school and trick-o-treating. Cinnamon moved from the sofa to prepare him something to eat.
She brought him a warm plate of leftovers and a beer as he and Jen settled on the sofa to watch the Knicks highlights on the news. She left them to watch the sports, moving past the sofa, brushing her hand across his shoulders. “Not too long, you two, we have to be up early in the morning.”
“Ah Mom!” Jen called.
Rollin took a pull on his beer and smiled. “Mom’s right Jen, we do have to be up and out early to get a good spot.”
Jen snuggled closer to Rollin. “K, Daddy.”
As the sports report ended, Rollin told Jen it was late and she needed to brush her teeth and get ready for a story. She jumped off the sofa still on LA time and full of energy. He found Cinnamon in the bedroom.
“Hey,” He said moving to her. “We haven’t had a proper hello.” He said with a grin as he took her in his arms.
She smiled up at him. “You were a little busy.”
“Not for long, she’s gone to brush her teeth and then storytime.” He said kissing her softly.
The touch of his lips ignited a yearning in her. They spoke frequently on the telephone but had been apart for too long.
He trailed kisses down her neck. “I have missed you so much.”
She responded to the feel of his warm lips on her skin. “How much?” She asked, her voice low, throaty.
“I’ve had a hard-on since the curtain call.” He whispered.
She smiled shyly. “Hmm.” She said as her hand slid down between them to his crotch. He was hard. “Patience, Sweetheart.”
She pulled herself away from him and he watched her as she left the room. That didn’t help his situation at all.
Rollin appeared at the doorway of Jen’s room. “So what are we reading tonight?”
She picked up her favorite latest favorite book from her bed as Rollin joined her. Cinnamon was busy putting away Jen’s clothes.
“K, Daddy. I’m all ready.” She said settling back against her pillows.
Rollin smiled at his daughter and opened the book as he sat beside her.
Cinnamon left them to read. She went to his bedroom to change. She took her time preparing for bed. She knew that chances were good that neither she nor Rollin would get much sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day and Jen was so excited about seeing the balloons ‘up close’ as she kept saying.
As the story ended, she returned to Jen’s room for goodnight kisses. Rollin kissed Jen goodnight then Cinnamon took his place beside her. “Now, tomorrow will be an exciting day so I want you to sleep.” She said tucking the covers around her.
Jen nodded as Cinnamon kissed her goodnight. “Mommy you smell good.”
Cinnamon chuckled, “Thank you Sweetie.”
Rollin’s hand went to her shoulder and she stood beside him.
They moved though the doorway into the hall. “Jen, I’ll leave the light on in the bathroom.” Rollin said leaving the door ajar.
“K Daddy.”
Cinnamon turned to Rollin as he reached for her hand and pulled her into his room. He closed the door behind them and moved his hands down her arms drawing her to him. His lips went to her neck and as she pulled him to her. “Jen’s right, you do smell good.”
She smiled as he raised his head and claimed her lips.
He pulled her tight against him. “Too long.” He sighed.
She relaxed into his arms. “I’ve missed you too.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded as she looked up at him.
He kissed her again and her lips parted under his. Their tongues entwined and Rollin’s hands moved down to caress her bottom.
He broke off the kiss. “Join me for a quick shower?”
She smiled at him. “I’ll wait for you.”
He gave her a quick kiss and moved from her arms. “Make it quick.” She called after him.
He returned quickly finding her reclining against the pillows of the bed in a black chemise. She smiled provocatively as he approached her with a towel wrapped about his waist, his erection evident. He crawled over her as her hands took the towel from his hips and tossed it aside. “My.” She said, acknowledging his desire. “For me?”
He chuckled. “Only for you.” He moved across her and kissed her.
He moved against her as she drew him to her. He kissed her deeply as he lowered himself to her. “This is all I’ve dreamt about all week.” He whispered between kisses.
“I must have been having the same dreams.” She replied.
His hand caressed her through the smooth silk and he slowly peeled one strap of her chemise down her arm and followed it with soft kisses.
“Rollin?”
“Hmm?”
“What are you going to do after the play closes?” She asked as she enjoyed his attentions.
“I don’t know yet. Tom is looking at several things for me,” he responded as he moved the other strap down.
“Will you be staying here?”
He looked at her, “I don’t know.”
“I was hoping...” She stopped.
He smiled as he moved one leg between hers and one hand pushed the silk slowly up her body.
“Hoping?”
“That you’d be coming back to LA for awhile.” She finished as she pulled the silk over her head and put it aside.
His hand trailed slowly across her breasts. “Does this mean I am missed?”
She reached to caress his cheek. “You know you are.”
He covered one nipple with his mouth, sucking gently as he stroked the other gently. She sighed as she lent her head against the pillows.
He kissed his away to the other breast and his hand moved down to her hip. He moved himself between her legs and his hard shaft moved against her warm, wet folds. She raised her hips to him as his hand moved under her backside pulling her to him.
He entered her with only the tip of his organ, separating her, then pushed slowly into her as he kissed her. She stretched against him, yielding to the familiar pressure she felt as he slid inside. “You feel so good.” He said as he began to move.
“Go slow.” She said.
“Testing me?”
“I just want to feel you.” She said as she kissed him.
He smiled and his hands moved to either side of her as he pumped slowly inside her. He wanted to please her as long as possible.
Soon, his long stokes brought moans from her and that enticed him to quicken his pace. She wrapped her legs around his as their motion increased. “Oh yes, Rollin, yes!”
He was frantically boring into her, bringing her to the edge. She grasped his shoulders and pulled him down to her. Their mouths met, probing, searching. He broke off the kiss. “Oh Honey!” He exclaimed as his release came fast. Cinnamon’s orgasm was a moment behind his as the warm wave brought a shudder throughout her.
His head shagged to hers, panting. Cinnamon held him, savoring their mutual passion.
He caught his breath and kissed her ear. “Okay?”
“Mmm,” was her satisfied response.
Soon they slept contentedly in each other’s arms.
Cinnamon woke early, knowing they would have to be out early in order to find a spot to watch the parade. She moved over to him and looked over his shoulder. He was sleeping peacefully. She kissed his cheek. “Hey Dad, time to get up.”
He hugged his pillow tighter and sighed. She smiled and moved her hand down his back and patted his rear. “Come on Sweetheart. Jen’s probably up and ready to go.”
He rolled onto his back and looked up at her. “How can you be up at this hour?”
She smiled. “I seem to remember that someone woke me a little while ago.”
He smiled. “I didn’t hear you say no.”
She chuckled. “When I have I told you no?”
His hand moved up her arm pulling her to him. “I don’t seem to remember.”
“I don’t think I have.” She stopped his hand as it moved down her body. “Oh no, I’m going to the shower.”
He dropped his hand as she moved from the bed. He watched her nude body as she moved inside the bathroom.
There was a knock on the bedroom door. He moved from the bed, grabbed a robe and opened the door to his daughter. “Morning Daddy.”
Rollin was still groggy. “Hey Honey.” He said rubbing his hand across his face. He wasn’t accustomed to early mornings. He could hear the water of Cinnamon’s shower.
Jen moved passed him and sat on the bed. “You said we had to get up early, so I’m ready.”
He smiled at his child. “So I did. Wanna make some coffee?”
“Sure.” She jumped from the bed and followed him to the kitchen.
Together they made coffee and started pulling things from the fridge for breakfast. Cinnamon dressed quickly and joined them in the small kitchen. She took the offered cup from Rollin, meeting his smiling eyes. He handed Jen a plate of bagels. “Here Jen, put these on the table.”
“K, Daddy.”
Rollin pulled Cinnamon into his arms. “Good morning.” He said, kissing her.
“Yes it is.”
He released her as Jen came back for juice.
“I need some OJ.”
He pulled the container from the fridge. “Here ya go. Where’s my glass?” He asked.
“On the table, Dad.”
Cinnamon moved from the kitchen with her cup as Rollin and Jen followed her with the juice.
They kept breakfast short and hurried to the parade route. Rollin had staked out the perfect place near Macy’s so Jen could see all the performers. Eventually she climbed onto his shoulders for a better view. She was captivated by the parade; from the line holders to the singers and dancers, she took it all in.
After three hours of standing, they were all tired. Rollin had made reservations for Thanksgiving lunch at The Garden Cafe, where he knew they would be well taken care of.
They feasted on turkey with all the trimmings and pumpkin pie for dessert.
After that, Rollin suggested a walk through
They came upon a couple with a baby in a stroller and Jen stopped to look at the child. “Mommy, look a baby!” She called as they caught up with her.
Cinnamon smiled at the young couple. “He’s adorable.” She commented.
The mother of the couple returned her smile. “Thank you. He’s a good baby.”
Jen was making faces and silly noises at the child, making him laugh.
“How old is he?” Rollin asked.
“Ten months, tomorrow.” The father beamed.
Rollin’s hand moved about Cinnamon’s waist.
“Come along Jen. We should start back for home.” She said reaching for her child.
“K Mom.” She said taking Cinnamon’s hand.
“Nice to met you.” Rollin said as they moved off.
“Bye.” Jen called after them.
Rollin sighed as they walked. “I remember those days.” He mused
“Was I little like that, Mom?” Jen asked.
Cinnamon nodded, “Yes, you were.”
“But much cuter.” Rollin interjected.
Jen laughed and dropped Cinnamon’s hand and ran ahead of them.
Rollin pulled her a little tighter. Rollin had to wonder if she’d ever really considered another child.
“You think Jen might ever like a little brother.” He asked, teasingly.
Cinnamon shook her head as Jennifer called to them. “Watch me!” Jen called as she took off running full speed toward them and Rollin bent down to catch her.
They returned to the apartment in the early evening and settled in to watch a movie. Jen fell asleep about an hour into the film, much to her thankful parents delight, who where similarly exhausted.
Rollin carried Jen to her bedroom and together they tucked her in. Rollin stood at the door, watching as Cinnamon kissed her forehead, then joined him. “I think she had a good time.” He whispered.
Cinnamon smiled up at him. “You’ll be lucky if you ever get her to watch it on TV again.”
He slipped his arm about her. “Fine with me.”
Together they moved quietly from the room.
Friday meant Rollin had an evening show and he was able to spend most of the day with them. They went ice-skating at Rockefeller Center, looked at toys at FAO Schwartz, for which Jen was making a list and had lunch at Tavern on the Green. By six-thirty, he had to leave for the theatre. Jen quickly adapted to the routine of his evening shows.
He returned as promptly as he had the previous night. He found Cinnamon on the sofa, alone.
“I thought Jen would still be up?” He asked.
“No, I have to try and keep something of her schedule when we’re here. Makes it easier for her to re-adjust to school when we get back.”
He shed his coat and moved beside her and kissed her quickly. “What’d I miss?” He asked, moving to the kitchen.
“Not much, we stayed in since you promised a movie tomorrow.”
“So I did.” He said returning with a beer.
He slipped down beside her. “Anything she wants to see?”
“Anything Disney.”
Rollin smiled. Jen had a fondness for Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
“We’ll have to see what we can do about that.”
Cinnamon leaned her head against his shoulder. “So what have you done? Shortened the last act? It’s not even eleven yet.”
His arm moved around her. “Nah, I just know what’s waiting here at home for me.” He replied, kissing her hair.
Cinnamon smiled and she turned to him. “What’s waiting for you?”
He met her eyes and smiled as he covered her lips with his. “You.”
She caressed his cheek with her palm. “Charmer.”
He pulled her to him and held her. “I really miss this, being with both of you.”
“We miss you too. That’s why I wanted to know what you are planning for after the show closes.” She said.
“I asked Tom to try for something in LA. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes up.”
“You will be back for Christmas?” She asked.
“I’ll be there.” He caressed her shoulder. “Do you still have room for me?” He asked.
She turned in his arms and faced him. “I think you still have a spot.” She said as her arm snaked around his neck and she kissed him. He pulled her from the sofa.
She smiled, taking his hand following him to his bedroom.
Saturday was the promised movie. Rollin had a matinee performance and had to leave them before the end of the film. Jen promised she’d act out the end for him between shows when they met him for dinner. Jen did perform the last third of the film for him as they sat in the diner across the street from the theatre.
They left him at the stage door. Rollin gave Cinnamon a wink as he released her. It would be their last night together until Christmas.
He returned to the apartment well before eleven. Tonight Jen was still awake. She met him at the door. “Daddy!”
He squatted down to hug her. “Hey kiddo, shouldn’t you be in bed?”
“Nope, it’s Saturday and I can sleep late tomorrow.”
“Oh…” He said with a glance at Cinnamon.
He was exhausted. Two shows always drained him. He tossed his coat aside and sat heavily on the couch.
“Tired?” Cinnamon asked running her hand through his hair.
“Beat.” He sighed.
“Daddy? Do you want a beer?”
Rollin shook his head. “No, Honey, thank you.”
Jen hung over the back of the sofa. “Daddy I made you a picture for the fridge.”
“That’s terrific, Jen. Where is it?”
“On the fridge.” She laughed.
Rollin laughed at his daughter. “Where else.” He said pushing himself from the couch. Together they went to examine her artwork. They emerged from the kitchen, hand in hand. “I’m going to grab a shower.”
Jen climbed up beside Cinnamon and Rollin gave Cinnamon’s shoulder a gentle squeeze as he passed.
There was a knock at the door as Cinnamon and Jennifer were reading on the sofa, waiting for Rollin to emerge from the shower. Cinnamon cracked the door open to find a leggy redheaded twenty something woman standing there with a grocery bag and her coat draped off her shoulders revealing a lacy black teddy underneath.
“Surprise!” She called.
Cinnamon’s eyes went wide. “Yes?”
The girl’s eyes bulged, “Oh. I was looking for Rollin.”
Rollin stepped from the bedroom in his robe and a towel about his neck. He’d heard the knock on the door. He froze when he saw Cinnamon and the girl at the door. “Laura?” He called.
Jennifer watched as the scene played out before her.
Cinnamon turned from the door and left the young woman standing there, as Rollin moved quickly to take her place.
She returned to the sofa where she and Jen had been. “Come on Honey, let’s go read in your room.”
“K Mommy.” She said reaching for her mother’s hand to follow her.
Cinnamon left them, with a quick glare at Rollin. “What are you doing here?” He asked Laura.
“I thought you might want some company.” She said shyly.
Rollin’s head shagged. “You really shouldn’t have come.”
“I can see that.”
“Laura. Please, you have to go.”
“Can I call you later?” She asked as he closed the door.
“Yeah, sure, fine.” He said automatically as he closed and re-locked the door.
He put his arm against the door and sighed. He was in for it now.
He slowly made his way to his bedroom. He could hear her. He came through the door and saw the suitcase on the bed.
She didn’t look up at him as she threw a pair of shoes into the case. “How could you?!”
“Cinnamon...” He sighed. He really didn’t have an explanation. “She’s just a friend.”
She cut him off. “With Jennifer here. What were you thinking?!” She looked at him hard. “A friend, with a teddy under her overcoat. Do you think I’m blind?”
His head shagged.
“I should have known better.” She said to herself.
He moved toward her and she raised her hand to him. “No! Don’t even think you can try and charm your way out of this.”
He sat heavily on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry!” She exploded. “I ‘m not even out the door and you have another woman coming here to sleep with you.” She shook her head.
“Cinnamon, please...” He said defeated.
“I should have known you couldn’t stay faithful to me…”
He sighed again. “It’s not what you think.”
“Then what is it? Am I not enough for you?” She said as she continued throwing things into her suitcase.
“That’s not it.”
“What is she all of twenty-two!” She continued in her fury.
He knew he’d been caught. “It’s not about us.”
She continued grabbing her clothes. “How can you say that! It’s always about us. All three of us.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do? I have to be here to work and you expect me to sit here and wait for you to pay me a visit?”
“Yes, Rollin, I do. It’s called commitment.”
He moved from the bed. “What? You think I’m not committed to both of you? How do I know that you’ve been up to back in LA?”
She stared at him. “Because you know it won’t happen.”
“Do I?”
“Yes, you do.” She stated.
Turning the tables on her was not going to work. He left the bedroom.
“Daddy?” Jen asked as he came into her room.
“Hey Honey, you ready for bed?”
Jen nodded slowly. “Mommy’s mad.” She stated softly.
Rollin sat on the edge of her bed. “I know.”
“Why?” She asked.
Rollin sighed as he looked at his daughter. He knew he couldn’t lie to her.
“It’s that lady, isn’t it?”
Rollin nodded. “She’s a friend of mine and Mom doesn’t understand that.”
“Why, Daddy. Is she bad?”
Rollin smiled softly, “No Honey, she’s not bad…” He stopped. “She just shouldn’t have come over.”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah.”
“I love you.” She said taking his hand.
Rollin smiled and pulled his daughter into his embrace. “I love you too, Sweetheart. Forever.”
Rollin tucked Jen into bed and returned to the living room where Cinnamon was
hanging up the phone. She moved past him. “We’re on the
Rollin watched her pass. They weren’t supposed to leave until
Cinnamon checked on Jen and told her about the change in their flight plans. Jen was not happy about leaving early. “But Mommy, Daddy will be sad if we leave sooner.” She pouted.
Cinnamon pulled Jen’s suitcase from the closet. ‘He should have thought about that before,’ she thought. “I know, Honey, but we have to get back.” She said.
Jen watched as Cinnamon was quickly packing her things.
As she shut the case, Cinnamon moved over to the edge of her bed, brushing her hair back. “I’m sorry about us leaving early, but we need too.”
“Why Mommy?”
“I need to get back. They need me at work.”
Jen met her mother’s eyes. “Daddy needs us too.”
That struck Cinnamon. She couldn’t answer her perceptive child. She kissed her forehead and Jen slid down under the covers. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Cinnamon said as she left her daughter to sleep.
Cinnamon returned to his bedroom and took a blanket from the closet and a pillow from the bed. She looked down at his bed and shook her head. ‘How could I be such a fool’ she thought. She found Rollin in the living room with a drink in hand.
She began to arrange the blanket on the sofa. “What are you doing?” He asked.
“Going to bed.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Can’t we talk about this?”
She turned to him. “What? I’m being ridiculous!? I don’t think there’s much to talk about Rollin, it’s very clear what ‘your friends’ intent was. I’m sorry we are interfering with your bachelor lifestyle.”
He sighed and decided it was best not to argue with her, “At least take the bed, for god’s sake.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
She looked him in the eye. “Your bed is a little too crowded for me."
With that, he shook his head and left her.
He propped against the headboard starring at the far wall as he finished his drink. He’d never been caught before, but it really wasn’t his fault. He had not asked Laura to drop by. But he didn’t have an excuse for Cinnamon either. Laura had a crush on him and he had made a small effort to stop her, but he’d given into her after their first couple of meetings. Cinnamon had no idea how lonely he got when they were not there with him. When the show was finally on its feet and had become its own, he quickly lost interest in it and was just doing his job.
Why didn’t she understand him? He loved her, more than any other woman he’d ever known. And Jennifer was the center of his universe. Why couldn’t she understand that she was the one for him?
After a fitful nights sleep for two of the three of them, Rollin came from the bedroom, finding them at the table. Jen was having cereal. “Morning Daddy.” She called.
He kissed the top of her head, “Morning Kiddo,” as he moved into the kitchen for coffee.
Cinnamon took the opportunity to claim her suitcase from the bedroom.
Rollin sat at the table with Jen. “Daddy, will you be sad when we leave?”
“I will be sad, Jen. I miss you when we’re not together.”
“I miss you too, Daddy and our adventures.”
Rollin smiled. “We’ll have to think up some new adventures for next time, won’t we?”
“Yes! When will that be, Daddy?”
Rollin saw Cinnamon returning. “I’m not sure, Honey.”
“Come on Jen. You need to brush your teeth.”
“Kay, Mommy.” Jen pushed herself from the table and hurried off.
Cinnamon took her bowl and spoon to the kitchen.
He watched her for some sign, but she was giving him nothing. “Cinnamon, what can I do to make this right?”
“You’ve done quite enough I think.”
He moved from the table to where she stood and took her by the arms. “Damnit! Don’t you understand, I love you. No one else will ever change that.”
“Then why must there be others?” She asked.
“If we were together, there wouldn’t be.”
“Rollin… Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying to you. Cinnamon, you don’t know how hard it is for me when we’re apart.”
She shook her head and moved from him. “You could at least give me a chance.” He pleaded.
She turned back to him and said quietly, “I did.”
Her words stung, just as if she’d slapped him.
Cinnamon went to get Jen’s suitcase and she brought it to the living room. Jen followed with her bear, Raggles, firmly in hand. She also carried her so-called ‘flight bag’ that contained all her toys and things to do on the plane. She sat next to Rollin, waiting for Cinnamon.
“Daddy, please come home as soon as you’re finished with your play.”
“I will Honey. As soon as I can get there.”
He turned as Cinnamon carried her suitcase from the bedroom and the buzzer from the front door rang. Rollin moved to the speaker. “Yeah?”
“Cab for Miss Carter.”
He looked at her. “She’ll be right down.”
Jen met them at the door. “All ready, Sweetie?” Cinnamon asked her.
“Yes ma’am.” She said sadly.
Rollin knelt down to hug and kiss Jen. “I’ll miss you Pumpkin.”
Jen held on to him. “I miss you too, Daddy.”
Rollin stood as Cinnamon opened the door. “Here-let me get those.” He offered.
She moved aside and let him get the bags. He followed them to the elevator and set the cases inside. Jen looked up at him. “Daddy, you didn’t kiss Mommy good-bye.”
Rollin met Cinnamon’s eyes, hopeful.
“Come on Jen, we need to go.” She said ushering her daughter into the car.
Jen waved to him, but his eyes never left Cinnamon’s. “I love you.” He said softly as the doors closed.
THE END
Elena Vorska
July, 2001