“Katy, would you look at this car? It’s just like the one I had when you were a child.”

“I know. I remember seeing the pictures.”

“Do you know who owns it? Must be someone inside.”

”Nope” Kit answered as the opened the passenger door and got in. Melvin looked around admonishing his daughter to get out before they got caught. “Don’t worry Daddy, we won’t get into any trouble. Go ahead get in the driver’s seat. I know you want to.” Kit said with a wink.

Shooting a glance at the valet driver who was watching them but not making any moves to stop them gave Melvin the last bit of impetus to throw caution to the wind. He opened the driver’s side door and got in. He flashed the famed Porter smile at his daughter as he adjusted the seat to fit his large frame.

He removed his sunglasses to get a closer look as he rubbed his hands across the dash, and steering wheel and gear shift. “She’s a beauty” he said almost in a dreamlike state.

The valet had left the keys in the ignition and the engine was purring softly. Kit sat back and enjoyed his father’s childlike wonderment for a few minutes then asked “Daddy, you want to take it for drive? We could head back to your hotel so you can change out of your suit then go for a drive up the coast. I know a great spot where we can stop for lunch and have our talk.”

“Katy, whose car is this? I don’t feel comfortable driving someone’s rare classic car without permission.”

“You have my permission Daddy.” Kit said nonchalantly

Even though Melvin was verbally resisting, he was distractedly adjusting the seat, and mirrors and acquainting himself with the controls. He snapped back to attention at her words.

“This is yours?” Melvin asked.

“Yes Daddy. A good friend of mine owns a restoration garage. He works on celebrity cars and some of those that you see in the movies. He came across this one at an estate sale two years ago. It had been parked in a garage for 30 years. It needed some work but he’s a genius mechanic. He surprised me on my 50th birthday. It looked like he’d just driven it off the showroom floor.”

“You know how much I love Cadillac?” Melvin asked with a sadness in his voice.

“Of course, Daddy. I remember you telling me it was the only make car worth having.”

“Your sister doesn’t seem to agree.” Melvin said recalling the argument he’d had with Bette just a couple of days ago. She hadn’t even mentioned that Kit drove one.

“Well I’m a lot older and wiser. I guess part of it was trying to preserve some of my childhood.” Kit could see this had affected her father more profoundly than any of her words earlier that morning. He reached over and hugged her, then kissed her cheek. “I love you Katy. I’m so sorry. I know we’ve lost a lot of time but I hope we can make up some of it now.”

“I love you too Daddy. So, are you ready to take this baby for a spin?”

“Sure thing.”

“Do you want to put the top up.” Kit asked as she secured her seat-belt.

“And waste this beautiful day? Not a chance.” Melvin secured his hat and put his sunglasses back on. He made the final adjustments to his side and rear-view mirrors, made sure there was no on-coming traffic then pulled away from the curb.

Following Kit’s driving directions, he made his way to the hotel in Beverly Hills. Kit waited in the lobby bar sipping on a club soda while he went upstairs to change into khaki’s, a polo shirt and comfortable walking shoes. When he came back down he looked ten years younger and his stride was that of an invigorated man.