Chapter 1:- The Diner
“Are you sure?”, Bob said as he sipped on his coffee. He pondered Jill’s words for a few moments. “This doesn’t sound like you at all.”

“It does too sound like me,“ protested Jill. “I’ve thought about this a lot and I know what I’m doing. I’m not a kid anymore you know.”

“I didn’t say you were a kid. And I’m on your side,” Bob said softly. “I love you and I don’t want to see you get hurt. That’s all.”

“You love me! Is that why you kicked me out of the house? I bet you love that dog of yours more than me. You didn’t kick him out.”

“I didn’t kick you out honey. You chose to leave because you didn’t want to follow the rules. You can’t imagine how much I miss you.”

“You made rules I couldn’t follow. You drove me out,” Jill complained. “Now that I’m on my own, you’re still trying to tell me what to do.”

“I don’t think giving you a midnight curfew was a rule you could not follow.”

“What about doing the dishes every night? I hardly ever ate at home. You were trying to force me to clean up after all of you pigs.”

“And so you left. That was your choice. That’s what kids your age do. You make choices, and then you have to live with them.”

“Right,” Jill almost spat back. “Now I’m trying to make another decision and you’re giving me crap about it.”

“Jill, please don’t talk like that. I raised you better than that.”

“You raised me - like some farm animal. Do you want me to sit pretty? How about I roll over or play dead?” Jill put her hands up begging.

Bob lowered his eye – shook his head. “Why do I even bother?” he said quietly. He looked up into her eyes. “Because I love you. That’s why.”

“You love me.” Now it was Jill’s turn to roll her eyes. “You keep saying that. I just don’t see it.”

“I suppose you don’t see God’s love for you either?”

“Okay Dad, let’s not go there.”

“Fine, but He does.” Bob said. “Let’s talk about what you’re going to do now.”

“I’ve thought about this a lot Dad. I just don’t see any other choice. I’ve got to eat.”

“You’ve though about it.” Bob paused. “Have you listened to your heart about it?”

“I’ve got to listen to my stomach. I’ve got to listen to my shivering bones at night. I can’t worry about my heart when my body is dying.”

“And this is your solution?” Bob asked with a sarcastic tone in his voice. “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out the way I wanted.”

“No, but its the way you feel.” Jill snapped. “I don’t have any choice. I don’t know how to do anything else.”

“You do have a choice, come home.” Bob said with compassion, “I know that you are the one who has to make this decision, and live with it.”

“And you’ll disown me if I make the wrong choice, just like you kicked me out.” Jill was on the verge of tears.

“I would never disown you honey. I will be sad for you. I will hurt for you. But I will never stop loving you. You will always be my girl.”

“It won’t work Dad,” Jill said standing, “You can’t have it both ways.”

Jill turned and started walking. “You can’t throw me out on the streets and then expect me not to walk them,” she said over her shoulder.

Bob sat there for a long time, lost in his thoughts and his prayers.