The Cedarville Review 2020

32 | THE CEDARVILLE REVIEW Nonfiction THE ELECTRICIAN’S DAUGHTER: A MEDITATION ON LOVE IN 13 CHAPTERS HANNAH FAIR 1. Throughout my lifetime, I have interpreted the world around me in light of my father and his career. Much of who he is can be explained through his occupation. Growing up, I came to view my father as a sort of Zeus. The same man who wired Philadelphia’s skyscrapers and harnessed the energy of the universe took the time to have tea (read: tap water) parties with my young princess dress draped self. 2. An American flag lace keeper on each of his worn chestnut colored work boots, he is a product of the protestant work ethic. A teetotal- er with a non-beer, beer-belly: Keith Fair is not the kind of half-bald man who one would sup- pose works in the rough parts of Philadelphia. Fromwiring massive, jelly-fish-like chandeliers in five star hotels to installing security systems in impoverished half-way houses, he has seen a lot of wires in his 57 years of life. I have always cherished being co-pilot in his white work van, driving down the streets of the city of Brotherly Love, while he points out every building he has worked at. 3. My father has lovingly informed me all about electricity. Electricity is a charge that can manifest in sparks and thunderbolts, it’s