Kristina’s Thoughts

Kristine walked along the sand as the waves splashed against her bare feet,thinking why it was this morning ,the argument seemed to effect her more than ever before.Running out and into the car the door slamming behind her,Kristine knew that she had to get out of the house.Walking along the beach, the waves tickling her toes ,was a lovely feeling and the the sand slipping under her feet,the sun warm on her face ,the smell of the ocean, the salt in the air,was a dream she always had if things were getting too much for her at home.

The situation was definitely getting out of hand Kristine sat on the sand started to think how it could be made better.Mr.Jones next door neighbour was so demanding and Dad just sits there and listens not saying much.but
“yes Bob I know maybe it will be ok if we just leave it”.
“No Jim we can”t she has to be made to listen to us” says Mr Jones this went on for half an hour this morning Dad and him backwards and forwards till she couldn’t stand it any more, had to get away. “Sitting here on this beach wont do,I can’t spend all day soaking up this beautiful sun” she thought “I have to get back to the house and see how things are now.maybe Mr,Jones will have left by now.”

Going back in the car Kristine started thinking about what was really the best way to handle the situation at home.Dad was getting old Mr.Jones was an old pushy man Kristine thought how long he had been doing just this kind of thing to her father ever since she could remember he was always telling him what to do. Don’t know how dad puts up with it?
But now he was trying to push him to far this time,poor old Betty was such a lovely old lady so gentle and kind Kristine always had a soft spot for her,stood up against Mr. Jones a few times,she was not going to let him win now either,but she always tried to do it gently so it looked like Dad was the one doing the telling not her,but was not sure how to go about it this time.

Kristine and her father moved to the house in the little town not long after her mother died in the car accident,how long ago that seemed. Kristine had just started to go to uni,it was so hard for them both after the shock of her mother’s death Kristine tried to do the things that needed doing but it was not working dad seemed to just mope around, he and mum had just retired and were going to go travelling ,well he never felt he could go now alone.One day Kristine came home from uni and dad told her he had decided to move to the coast and sell the house too many memories here,so they packed and were gone before she realised what was happening,dad just loved the little house here at the seaside and he settled into country life very well,took Kristine little longer but when her uni course finished she looked around for a job and was lucky to get one at the school in the next town,she was very happy.

Kristine walked back into the house and kissed her father on the check and said 
“Hows things now dad “he looked at her smiled and went on with the washing up.Kristine knew he was deep in thought about what Bob wanted and was trying to work out how he could solve the problem without hurting either of them.Kristine had the solution it had came to her on the beach,but how to put it into her fathers mind without him knowing it was her idea.She picked up the tea towel started to dry the dishes saying
“Dad you know that Mr.Jones wants to get himself a new car don’t you?”dad looked at her and said “Does he ,he never told me that,how do you know ?”
“ He told old Pete the other day that he was looking for a new one, at church last week I was talking to Pete when he came up and said it to him” with that Kristine said bye and walked out the door to school.
Arriving home from school Kristine found her father happily whistling away in the garden,she went out to him and started to help him pick the tomatoes .
“Kristine I went into talk to Betty today she seems very stressed,seems Bob is giving her a real hard time” Kristine looked at her father as he went on speaking ”I told her that maybe she really needs to let it go,but I could tell she wasn’t sure. I didn’t like to push her but it really is upsetting her all this pressure from Bob and everything”.Kristine listened and then took the basket from him as they went inside.”Dad maybe we should tell Penny how it is,I will be seeing her on the weekend ,we are meeting up at the carnival”.Kristine thought how long it was since they had met,Penny had become her best friend after she moved here, it was so good being next door to each other,.Kristine thought she would talk it over with her on the way home, as Penny was coming home for the weekend so could see for herself if her mother was too stressed out about Mr.Jones.”Bob came over as I was leaving and asked me if I had told her it had to go,I told him that Betty will make her own mind up.”
“Good idea Dad just leave it for now it will work out”.

Dad started preparing dinner as he liked to cook,especially on these lovely summer days,as he just turned on the bbq and I made the fresh salad from the garden.While he was preparing the meat the door bell rang, it was Betty “Come in we are just getting the dinner on,would you care to join us Betty?”Well if its not too much bother I would love to ,need to talk to you two please”.”oh Betty you are never a bother and love having you here ,certainly will be good with Penny on the weekend, I am so looking forward to her coming home aren’t you?as we walked outside to the veranda Betty looked upset and I thought she is getting old I hadn’t noticed that before .
“Oh yes I have missed her so much since John died, one should be over it by now just how long does it take Kristine,?been five long years and still can’t get used to him not being here with me.”I reached over and gave her a big hug feeling her tremble as I did.’Hello Betty going to join us for dinner great “said Dad as he bent over kissed her check I”ll put another steak on the bbq.

We set the table and opened a nice wine the meal was enjoyable ,I noticed Betty getting more relaxed as the bottle of wine diminished.”Jim I think I need to do something about that car,Bob hates it when I drive it out the garage and sit in it,I just rev up the engine for a half hour or so.” I looked at dad hoping he would come up with the answer himself.” Yes Betty I had noticed that ,and he does seem to be very interested in that car of John’s I was thinking about your trouble today in the garden”. Betty looked at Dad with a look of desperation on her face, ”Yes Betty think I have your answer.you don’t like to drive anymore and Penny does’t want the car so why not sell it.” “Oh Jim I could”t let just anyone have it John loved his car and I would feel I am letting him down selling it”.Please Dad I thought remember what I told you the other day.I looked at them both holding my breath,”No Betty thats the thing you won’t have to give it to just anyone ,why not Bob he loves it and I know he’s looking for a new car”.Good old Dad he remembered ,a smile lit up all our faces,”Oh Jim your so wonderful yes he will love it and look after it well thank you Jim, as usual I knew you would have the answer for me ,your such a wonderful person.Betty got up moved around the table and hugged Dad, giving him such a kiss on the lips even my eyes popped open.