Father's Daughter 30 Days before the decommissioning of Galactica – Colony of Aerilon.
“Thank you so very much that was kind of you, Mister Weatherspoon,” Jilleen reached for his outreached hand with both of hers for a two-handed shake. Mr. Weatherspoon was an old friend of her father. “Mother would have been so pleased with your gift to the foundation.”
“Your mother’s commitment to the environment had given us a worthy cause in preserving Aerilon’s wild lands for future generations. I’m happy to be of service, Miss Simmons.” The gray hair gentleman in a black tuxedo placed his free hand on top hers for a gentle pat, before letting go of the handshake.
“Yes it is a worthy cause,” said Jilleen who wore a soft blue formal gown for the fundraising charity party. “You know my brother is committed as much as my mother was to the environment and that will be reflected in his policies if he is elected.” She noticed Mr. Weatherspoon gaze had drift beyond her and then she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Is my daughter trying to shake you down for a political contribution, Jim?” said the formal governor of Aerilon.
“Dad,” she glanced at her father as her cheeks blushed. Jilleen felt as if she was caught with her hand in a cookie jar. Her father made her feel like a little girl in his presents.
“You’ve already taken my full limit for your boy’s campaign, Ben.”Mr. Weatherspoon paused for a second. “Now, if your daughter were to run for office …”
“Forgive me Mr. Weatherspoon,” Jilleen cut him off, “I’m flattered but I could never imagine myself seeking political office. I doubt I would have the patience to endure countless hours of debate, and to give the same speech over and over again on the campaign trail.” She grabbed her father’s hand and looked at him. “Nothing against you, Dad, but it gets old real quick.”
“It’s because you’re a natural, Jill. They say those with a gift become very bored with mere amateurs,” replied her father.
“Oh no,” she disagreed and then looked at her father’s friend. “Don’t believe him. The game of politics makes me ill.” She then looked at her father again. “Why do you think I ran off to join the Forces?”
“Because you’re my daughter and I would have done exactly the same thing.” he smiled at her knowing very well how she valued her independence. “You know your mother blamed me for encouraging you to seek your own way. She wasn’t ready for her baby to leave home so soon,” he paused to look into his daughter’s green eyes. “You take after your mother in so many ways. Like her, once you made up your mind to do something, you’re too stubborn to change it. She realized that after you refused to leave the Academy.”
Mr. Weatherspoon cleared his throat to get the father’s and daughter’s attention. “I best be leaving you two. We’ll still on for golf this weekend, Ben?”
“Most definitely,” replied the former Governor.
“Good.” Mr. Weatherspoon nodded. “It’s good to see you again, Miss Simmons.”
Jilleen bowed her head and then smiled. “It was nice to see you too, Mister Weatherspoon.”
After Mr. Weatherspoon left them, the father grabbed his daughter’s arm. “Dance with me?”
Jilleen nodded and walked with her father to the dance floor. The mention of her mother had brought back some good memories. It might have been two years since her mother passed away, but it did not seem to be too long ago. Jilleen wanted to tell her father how much she missed her, but she knew how terribly her father missed her mother.