Chapter 7 Chapter Six

Time is relative.I'm not the first to think this way, nor the most famous of them.My understanding has nothing to do with energy, matter, the speed of light, or the formulas derived by Einstein.It was just the long wait for Savannah's return that made me feel that way. I thought of Savannah after dinner with Pa, and soon after I got up in the morning, I thought of her again.Surfing at the beach all day, although today's waves are much better than yesterday, I still can't concentrate, and finally decided not to play at two or three in the afternoon.Was wondering if I should get a cheeseburger at a seaside joint, but the best burger joints are in town.I had an appetite for a burger, but I headed home first, hoping to convince Savannah to come along later.When I got home, I read a little Stephen King novel, showered, changed into jeans and a polo shirt, and sat down to read.When I looked up at the clock again, I found that only twenty minutes had passed.This is what I mean by "time is relative".

Dad came home, noticed my clothes, and handed me the car keys. "You want to go out with Savannah?" "Yes." I stood up from the sofa and took the key. "Might be back later." Dad scratched the back of his head. "Okay." "Breakfast tomorrow?" "Okay." Although I don't know why, I always feel that Dad sounds scared. "Okay, see you later. Is that okay?" "I might go to bed later." "I didn't mean to see you later." "Oh," Dad said, "Okay." Go to the door and open it, I listen Dad sighed.

"I want to see Savannah, too." Dad's voice was so soft that I could hardly hear it. When I arrived at the big house, it was still very bright, and the sun was shining on the sea, and the light was twisted and colorful because of the waves.When I got out of the car, I realized that I was very nervous.I can't remember the last time I was nervous about a date, and I can't stop myself from thinking that there might be something different between us.Not sure why, just that if my fears come true, I really don't know what to do. I didn't bother to knock and just walked in.The living room was empty, but there were voices at the end of the corridor.On the back terrace is a group of people who are usually seen regularly.Walking out of the house, I asked where Savannah was, and someone said she was on the beach.

I walked quickly down the beach and stopped when I saw Savannah.She was sitting near the dunes, with Randy, Brad, and Susan next to her.Savannah didn't notice me; I heard Randy say something that made Savannah laugh.Savannah and Randy looked just like Susan and Brad.I knew they weren't a couple, maybe they were just talking about the house, or the past few days, but I hated the sight, and I didn't like Savannah sitting so close to Randy, as close as they were with me.I stood there wondering if Savannah remembered our date.But she smiled when she saw me, as if nothing happened. "You're here! I'm still wondering when you'll be here!" Randy smiled strangely.Although Savannah said this, Randy still had a triumphant expression. "The cat is away, the mouse is at ease" seemed to be what he wanted to say.

Savannah stood up and walked slowly, wearing a white sleeveless shirt and a light, flowing skirt.The skirt swayed as she walked.It could be seen that her shoulders had darkened, indicating that they had indeed been working in the sun for a long time.Savannah approached, tiptoed, and planted a kiss on my cheek. "Hi." Savannah put an arm around my waist. "Hi." Savannah leaned back slightly, as if studying my expression. "You look like you miss me." There was teasing in the voice. As usual, I didn't know how to respond.Savannah winked at my bewilderment. "Maybe I miss you too." She added.

I touched her bare shoulder and said, "Ready to go?" , um, almost. I stood upright, trying to make my voice sound normal: "I saw you chatting with Randy." Savannah squeezed my hand. "Really?" I added, "I think you got to know each other better when you were working." "Of course. Heading up to New York for an internship at Morgan Stanley." "Yeah," I muttered as an answer. Savannah smiled, very quietly. "Don't tell me you're jealous." "I'm not." "Fine." Savannah concluded, squeezing my hand again, "Because there's no need." I still cling to those words and continue In retrospect, Savannah didn't have to say that, but it made me couldn't be happier.I went to the car and opened the door for her.

"I want to take you to The Oyster, which is a nightclub just down the beach. There's live music later." "What are you going to do before then?" "Are you hungry?" I asked, thinking The cheeseburger I didn't eat in the afternoon. Savannah said, "A little bit. But I had a snack when I got home, so I wasn't too hungry." "What about a walk on the beach?" "Well, a little later." Savannah obviously wanted to say something . "You can just tell me where you want to go." Savannah's expression lit up. "How about we go say hello to your dad?" I'm not sure I heard correctly. "Are you sure?" "Yeah, sure. Just one click, and then we'll get something to eat and dance." I hesitated, and Savannah put her hand on my shoulder. "Please!" I didn't want to go home at all.But the way Savannah begged made me unable to say no, thinking that this would really become a habit.I still wish I could be alone with Savannah all night, I don't understand why she would want to see Dad, unless it's because Savannah doesn't really want to be alone with me.Honestly, it's pretty discouraging to think about it.

Savannah was still in a good mood, talking about the progress of the working group in the past few days.Tomorrow, they plan to install windows.Randy has been working with Savannah for two days, which explains how their "new friendship" came about.That's what Savannah said.I doubt Randy would think the same way. A few minutes later, as the car pulled into the driveway, I noticed that the lights in the study were on.I parked the car, turned off the engine, and fiddled with the key before getting out of the car, trying to procrastinate for a few more minutes. "I told you my dad was quiet, right?" "Yeah, but it's okay. I just want to see him." "Why?" I know it sounds stupid, but I can't help but ask.

Savannah said: "Because he is your only family member and the one who raised you up." Bringing Savannah home really surprised Dad, and when he recovered from his surprise, he introduced himself to each other. When it was over, Dad ran his hand through his thinning hair and stared at the floor again. "I'm sorry I didn't call first, but it wasn't John's fault, it was mine," Savannah said. "Oh, it's okay." "Did we come at the wrong time?" "No." Dad looked up suddenly, and then turned his eyes to the ground again, "Nice to meet you." For a while, the three of us stood like this In the living room, no one spoke.Savannah had a relaxed smile on her face, but I didn't even think Dad would notice.

"Would you like something to drink?" Pa asked, as if suddenly remembering to play host. "Don't bother, thank you. John told me that you are quite a professional coin collector." Dad turned to me, as if considering how to answer, and finally said, "I will try." Did you?" Savannah had the familiar joke in her voice, and it was surprising to hear Dad give a nervous laugh, a nervous laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.It's amazing. "No, no, you didn't bother me, I was just checking the coins I just bought today." Dad was obviously watching my reaction as he said this.

Savannah either didn't pay attention, or pretended not to see it. "Really?" she asked. "What kind of money?" Pa shifted his weight from one foot to the other.Then, completely out of my expectation, I looked up at Savannah and said, "Do you want to see it?" We stayed in the study for a full forty minutes. During these forty minutes, I mostly sat on the sidelines and listened to my father telling stories that I was familiar with.Dad, like most professional collectors, had only a handful of coins at home.I have absolutely no idea where to put the rest.Every few weeks, Dad would take turns bringing out other coins and keeping them in the house.That's when new favorites appear at home like magic.But at any one time, the number of coins in the study does not exceed a dozen, and the coins at home are usually not too expensive.I think Dad would open Savannah's eyes just by showing her a regular Lincoln penny.Savannah asked dozens of questions that would have been answered by me, or by any book dedicated to coin collecting.But Savannah soon started asking more interesting questions.Don't ask why this coin is so valuable, but when and where Dad bought this collection.Dad's payoff is the story of my traveling with him as a kid, those boring weekends in Atlanta, Charleston, Lowry, and Charlotte. Dad talked a lot about that time.At least it was for him.Pa would still go into long pauses, but in those forty minutes Pa had talked to Savannah more than he had talked to me since I got home.Looking over from this side, you can see the enthusiasm that Savannah said Dad has, but I have seen it too many times, and this "enthusiasm" still can't change my existing thinking: Dad used the coin collection as an excuse to refuse to face him. to life.I stopped talking about coins with Pa because I wanted to talk about other things; Pa didn't talk to me about coins because he knew what was on my mind but didn't know what else to say to me. But... Dad is happy, I can tell.As Dad discussed the coins, his eyes sparkled, he pointed to the engraving on the coins, admiring how clear the stamp was, and commenting on how the value would fluctuate if the stamp changed.Dad showed Savannah a lot, commemorative coins and coins from the West Point Mint in New York State, Dad's favorite source of coins.Dad also gave Savannah a magnifying glass to show her the blemishes on the coins; when Savannah was holding the magnifying glass, Dad's lively expression was very obvious.Although my feelings about coins haven't changed, I can't help but smile seeing Dad so happy. But dad was still the same dad I knew, no miracle happened.After showing all the coins, describing the background, and talking about the purchase process, the words became less and less.He also began to repeat what he had just said, and he found it himself, and the result was more withdrawn and quieter.It won't be long before Savannah senses his discomfort.She pointed to the coins on the table and said, "Thank you, Uncle Terry. I think I really learned a lot." Dad smiled, but he looked tired, and I noticed the cue and knew it was time to take over. "Yeah, that's great, but we should go," I said. "Oh, all right." "Nice to meet you." Dad nodded again.Savannah leaned forward and gave Dad a hug. "Let's talk next time." Savannah said softly.Although Dad hugged Savannah back, it reminded me of his unenthusiastic hugs when I was a child, and wondered if Savannah was obviously uncomfortable like Dad. Sitting in the car, Savannah seemed lost in her own thoughts.I should ask her what her impression of Dad is, but I'm not sure I really want to know the answer.I know my father, and I know that our relationship is not the best, but Savannah is right, my father is my only relative, and he raised me.I can complain, but the last thing I want to hear is that others criticize my dad. I still don't think there will be any negative comments about Savannah because she is so kind by nature.Savannah turned to face me, smiling. "Thank you for bringing me here. Your father...is very kind." Never heard anyone describe it like that, but I like it. "Glad you like him." "I am," Savannah sounded sincere, "your father was...soft." Savannah looked at me. "It's understandable why you've gotten into trouble in the past though, your dad doesn't seem like the type to call the shots." "He doesn't." I agreed. Savannah frowned mockingly. "So you do whatever you want?" I laughed. "Yeah, I think so." Savannah shook her head. "You should be more sensible." "I was young!" "Ha, old-fashioned excuse, yeah, it's not a big deal, you know it doesn't work for me, right? I never try to take advantage of my parents "Yeah, perfect daughter. I remember you mentioning that." "Are you kidding me?" "No, of course not!" Savannah continued to stare at me. "I think you have." She concluded. "Well, a little bit." Savannah thought about my answer. "Well, I deserve it, but then you know I'm not perfect." "Really?" "Of course, I remember it well, for example, in fourth grade, I got a B on one test ’ I pretended to be startled. "Oh no, are you kidding?" "It's true." "How did you get here?" "What else?" Savannah shrugged, "Tell yourself this mistake will never happen again." I There is no doubt at all. "Are you hungry?" "Thought you wouldn't ask!" "What do you want to eat?" Savannah pulled her hair back with both hands, pulled it into a loose ponytail, and let it go. "Big juicy burger, what does that sound like?" Once I finished, I thought to myself, this girl is too perfect for me to believe.