Page 151 of Hard to Judge

I thought I had so much to say to this man. I was upset I couldn’t confront him about his actions with him in such a state. Now, I just want to know what he wants from me. Nothing more.

“You wanted to see me?”

His head shakes once. “Nihongo.”

My instinct is to fight him, especially with Hailey present. I want her to know what’s being said. At the same time, it doesn’t seem like the battle to fight this second.

“Naze motto hayaku watashi o tazunete kurenai nodesu ka?” he asks.

Why didn’t I come sooner?

Ha! Why not call me sooner? Like when I was a kid who needed him?

“I am here now.” I swallow the bile rising in my throat.

His lips purse, but he says no more about his language.

“What is going on with your health?” I urge.

He explains in labored breaths that his kidneys are failing him. They’ve been struggling for a few years now, but now he’s on dialysis around the clock. He is on a transplant list but may run out of time.

That’s when I know what he wants from me.

A kidney.

“How long ago did you begin twenty-four-hour dialysis?” I stuff my hands into the pockets of my trousers to keep from forming fists.

“Kagetsu mae.” He pats the mattress harder than necessary. He continues to talk about how horrible it’s been to be stuck in bed for a whole month. How he hasn’t been able to work.

One month ago.

Right when the calls began.

Right when he got desperate enough to reach out to his last remaining blood relative.

“Why didn’t you call me sooner?” My words are quiet.

He must mistake the volume for sorrow. “Shinpai muyo. Mata kenko ni nareru yo.”

Not to worry. I can be healthy again.

“Why didn’t you call me sooner?” I say finally zeroing in on his dark eyes. “Why didn’t you call me decades ago?”

“Please, son.” His head shakes, speaking English as though it’s enough to placate me. “Let’s not bring up the past. Let us leave it where it lies.”

My past lies in the bed in front of me.

His gaze goes wide for a split second, and then narrows. He gestures behind me. “Who are these people you bring to my bedside?”

“These peopleare my family.” I keep from growling, but just barely.

“I’m your family, son.” He flicks his wrist, dismissing them immediately.

I turn and extend my hand to Hailey. “This is my wife, Hailey Judge.”

She offers a sunshine smile for me, not for show, and steps forward to take my hand. I kiss her lips, and then turn to my father. His lips are tucked between his teeth, as though itphysically pains him to keep quiet. After all, I was to marry a simple Japanese woman and not followhis mistakes.

Then I turn and hold my hand out for Arlo. “This is my husband, Arlo Judge.”

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