A Knot in the Wood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

A Knot in the Wood - Essay ExampleWe sat in an old cafe in the West Village, an easy walk of life from NYU. Last week, an airline special caught his eye and I had to cancel my plans to accommodate his last minute trip. I was supposed to be in Vermont with my boyfriend Josh, who took his roomy instead. At first, I had felt ambushed, but then I remembered who my father was or, rather, who he wasnt not spontaneous, impulsive, or effusive. Dad hadnt been to New York since his vacation and he kept pointing to buildings to explain their architectural significance, starting sentences that trailed off like dust behind a car. He wouldnt commit to anything, like visual perception a play, walking through Central Park, or spending a day at the Met. All the tourist things my classmates did with their parents. People said grief decrepit you, but not my father, settle down handsome with a full head of salt and pepper hair. He looked too young to have a missy in her mid-twenties too young to b e a widower. Hunched over his coffee, he asked how school was going. Im taking a series of art history because theres this program in Barcelona. I thought maybe I could spend a semester there. Its far away. He had said the same thing about my summer trip to Amsterdam. When I finally got around to sending him the package of souvenirs along with a stack of snapshots, he offered a terse thank you and said I looked too thin in the photos. Now here he was. I glanced around the cafe. We were upstairs in a window seat, and I took turns watching the customers downstairs and the pedestrians on the street. The weather turned last night, and that afternoon everyone was bundled in hats and scarves. Wind blew garbage and leaves down the street. Halloween decorations still hung in a few shop windows. Below, two men stood on a corner, both smiling. I could see their breath when they spoke. I felt that plain guilt that I shouldnt have chosen a school so far away. I had stayed close for college, a two-hour drive away, so I could come home at least one weekend a month. It had been just the two of us from the start. I underestimated how hard it would be on him. Is that why you came? You want me to transfer? No. Absolutely not. But you should come home for the holidays. Ill be home for Christmas. He closed his eyes for a bite as though he was in pain or trying to remember something. Dad? His eyes popped open and for the first time since hed been in town, I felt like he was really looking at me. I watched as he took in my introduce. Even though he didnt say it anymore, I knew he was thinking of how much I looked like my mother. It was difficult being a carbon copy of someone who was dead. His face relaxed and now it was I unable to meet his eyes. I rotated my cup, swishing my coffee to even out the sugar before taking a sip. Maybe I should have dyed my hair brown or red--anything but my mothers blonde. Do you want to take a walk? he asked. I inventoried his clothes a sweater b ut no jacket. I doubted he had packed gloves or a scarf. Its getting cold. You think youll be agile enough? He nodded. I can always buy something. We rose from our chairs and shuffled our way down the stairs. My father held the door for me, ushering me into the cold. My hair whipped around my face and I wrestled on my hat, a pale green felt one my father had sent in a care package. He smiled. Ive always desire you in that color. Thanks. Let