Lost Warrior

I am standing strong, the blistering sun burning down on my nearly naked body. I hear the jeers of the crowd, wishing a horrible death upon me, but I am a statue of unconquerable strength. My jaw stays taught. My decision is unchangeable. I am resolved in my mission. I will win this battle or I will die fighting. My chiseled, tanned chest is heaving methodically, my flat, washboard stomach is steady in breath. I flex my iron hand on the hilt of my sword. Someone is going to die soon!
As the mob yells for blood, I remain firm. Ready to do battle, ready to slay the terrible fiends that are about to be unleashed upon me. I face the gates of the coliseum. I hear the young lions that are snarling beyond, ready to disembowel my warrior’s body. When I hear the creak of the chains as the gates are opened, the young lions are released and they charge headlong towards me…I raise my sword and prepare to strike the first blow…
Okay, maybe, just maybe, I am not the sculptured specimen of stone-hardened combatant that my pre-Alzheimer brain imagines, but give just a bit of titivate, enough to allow me to complete this piece. Yeah, yeah, I know that I look more like a grey-headed pregnant orangutan than a gladiator, but just for the sake of the narrative, cut me a bit of slack, okay?
Is that cool? Okay, so here we go. Now, where was I. Oh yeah, I was leading up to this…
“Dad, this is Wesley…Wesley, this is my dad.” My oldest daughter is nervous with her introduction. I remain silent, letting the young man approach me. My stare burns into his as he tries to maintain eye contact. It takes less than a second before he looks down at his shoes.
That’s a good sign. We have already established that I am the dominant force around here, in his and my oldest daughter’s relationship. I am the alpha male here and that’s the way it is going to stay. That is if this little wombat wants to survive the night! He offers his slim hand to me and I pause, as if scrutinizing his quivering soul, then I casually return a slightly-too-hard clasp. Let’s get the rules straight here young peasant. I am the ruler of this kingdom, and right now, you are a trespasser! You will not glimpse the King’s treasure!
Then, my youngest daughter entreaties me. “Dad, this is Bryce.” Looking back over her shoulder, to the corner of the room that he is desperately trying to melt into, the young suitor adjust himself on quivering legs, and wobbles towards me. He offers his shaking hand to me, I stare fire hot coals into his eyes…and wait. "Pleas…please…pleased to meet you Mr. MLM” he manages to gasp. I don’t let him off so easily. “Hmmmmphhh…” Is all that I offer before I return the handshake.
My daughters have put off the formalities of introductions as long as they could, but the time had come for them to present their ‘boyfriends’ to me and there was no turning back. I know that this is an important event in their lives and I have tried to prepare myself for it. But, unfortunately, I am from the old school of thinking. I know what these young lions are capable of. I know the secret of the ‘Order of Testosterone’. I know this because I was once a young Leo myself. And let me tell you, I know how dangerous they can be!
As they prepare to leave to go to the dance I am torn between pride and terror. My daughters are both intelligent, respectable young women. Their mother has raised them to be independent, smart, and above all discriminate. They have high self-esteem and goals to be their own women who make their own choices in life. But, I am only a man. And with that my girls will have to endure my simple minded ways. It is going to be a long hard road for them to travel before thay are able to convince me that any man is suitable for them. Although, I have to admit that the two young men that are escorting them out on this evening are exceptional young  gentlemen with fine families. My daughters chose well. Both of these guys are far better than I was at their age. And the fact that they make my daughters happy goes a long ways. Although, I will never say that out loud.
As they walk out the door…
I am standing strong in the blistering sun, ready to take on any young lions that bolt from the gates to claim my daughters. If I fall then let them feel at least one strike from my notched sword. Let them feel the mighty blow from the man that was once a young lion himself.
I love you Jetta and Shea, but until they drag my defeated body from the arena, I am always going to look out for you and fight for you. I know that you may not understand, but…
It is my job as a daddy!
Take care.