I stared out the car window, watching as we passed cars on the dark, dusty highway. It was my fifth time moving in the last seven years. Ever since my mother died, my father had moved me everywhere. He said it's his way of moving on, although I don't think he's ever really gotten over my mother's death. I would catch him drunk in his car with the car keys partially in the ignition, crying his eyes out, or in the kitchen dancing and swaying around with a mop. He always had a very indifferent sense of humor.

I don't think my dad believed me when I said I was in love this time. John Rose Burnes reminded me so much of my dad. The way he laughed, the way he smiled, and the way he told jokes. He was my life.

I looked over at my father. He focused contently on the road as he drove in silence. The quietest it had ever been. We pulled up to our house at about midnight. There was almost no light when my dad shut off the engine. A beaten escrow sign hung from the porch.

"Well, we're here," my father announced, shutting down the engine. The house was huge compared to our old one—a large oak tree in front and a hanging tire big enough for me. I opened the passenger side door and walked closer to the swing.

"Welcome home," a deep masculine voice called from the porch.

"John?" There was silence for a moment before the dark figure emerged down the steps. John stood smiling with his hands in his pockets. I ran faster than I'd ever run and threw my arms around him.

"How are you here?" I asked, hugging him tightly.

He pointed, and I followed his finger. Tears welled up in my eyes. My father smiled and waved. "I kind of, sort of, told him he could stay for a while," he replied. I looked up into John's eyes. A stray tear rolled down my cheek. John brought his hand to my chin and brushed my tears away. Leaning in, he softly kissed my lips.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear.

I smiled, my lips brushing his this time. "I love you too." John picked me up and carried me into the home. That's when I knew he would do anything for me, just like my father—even going the extra mile so that he could be with me.