Victor Grimes – Vic

Peace finds us in unexpected places, often when we least expect it but precisely when we need it most. For me, peace didn’t come from reaching for it; it found me when I let go of everything. It emerged from the darkest shadows of my life—a time filled with chaos, tragedy, fear, and heartbreak. And it came in the most beautiful form imaginable: my family, my greatest blessings, my daughters.

“Dad, stand up straight and stop pouting. You’re making the suit look ugly,” Sydney, my precocious six-year-old, commands, her tiny hands on her hips as she hands me my cufflinks. Her brow furrows in a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“Are you sure it isn’t the suit?” I grumble, casting a dramatic glance at the mirror. “I look ridiculous. No, beyond ridiculous—I look hideous. Might as well burn everything.”

Ms. Tina, my house manager, snorts, trying and failing to suppress her laughter. The rest of the staff isn’t doing much better.

“That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?” Ariel, my too-wise-for-her-own-good nine-year-old, chimes in, her voice dripping with gentle sarcasm.

I scan the room, catching the barely contained smiles of the staff. “Oh, so, I’m the household joke now, am I?” I say, the corner of my mouth twitching as I feign indignation.

“This is exactly what he needs,” Ms. Tina whispers loud enough for all to hear, with a knowing grin. “To dress up, get out of this house, and stop driving us crazy.”

Their laughter, though at my expense, is infectious, and despite myself, I can’t help but let a slight smile slip through.

Sensing my resignation, Ariel steps closer and adjusts my tie with a seriousness that belies her age. “There, much better. Now, you don’t look like a frumpy cook anymore. You look like the 5-star Michelin chef you are!”

I chuckle under my breath and corral my mini-me into my embrace. “Thanks, Ari. I don’t know what I’d do without you and your sister. You two keep me sane, you know that?”

“And stylish, too, Dapper Dad,” Syd adds, winking at me from across the room.

It’s been years since I’ve worn a tuxedo, and the last place I expected to dress up for a black-tie affair is at a floral shop. Apparently, this town makes big deals out of small occasions, any excuse to dress up for a party, which is an ideal setting for my daughters but not for me.