125 The Lighthouse of Hope

"So, what did you want to ask, son?" Old Man Hartford whispered, "Don't tell me that she's finally gotten—"

"No, this is isn't about that, goddammit! And I've already told you that we aren't ready for something like that!" said Reed.

Despite his best efforts, Reed couldn't understand why the old man wanted to see it happen so goddamned much. Was it something intrinsic to the elderly? The old couple had changed ever since Reed confided in Old Man Hartford one of the biggest dreams he had yet to fulfill several months ago. 

"I thought you wanted to be a family man, my boy! You can't be a real family man until you've—"

A part of Reed regretted that he'd told the geezer because nowadays, it was all the old man ever wanted to discuss. An unpleasant, invisible force had manifested in the kind old couple's expectant faces overnight. It was smothering and heavy, yet gentle and sweet.