Page 87 of Jace 4Ever
“We’re on our way to your dad, Nelson.”
“My dad...” he gasped, his eyes filling with tears. “I haven’t been back to see him in years. I’ve always been jetting off somewhere and didn’t have time. I should have been back at least once a year. I’m a fucking Hollywood superstar. I can tell people no and get away with it.”
“You didn’t know this was going to happen, Nils. No one could have.”
“He told me, ten months ago, that he had cancer. I didn’t make time to go see him. Now I may have lost him before I could…”
Nothing could have held back the tears. He crumbled right before my eyes. I knew I should have the seat belt on, but I ripped it off and slid down the couch to wrap my arms around him. I held him, smoothing a hand over his back as the sobs wracked his body.
This wasn’t fair to him. His brother simply hadn’t given him enough information, and this was killing him. I reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone—another thing I shouldn’t be doing, but I also knew that the prohibition of use was more an abundance of caution than anything.
I found his brother’s name and hit the call button.
It only rang once. “HæHæ, Nils.”
“Moaheethr, this is Jace. I hope I didn’t just slaughter your name.”
Móeiðr chuckled. “Close enough. Just call me Heath. Most people do. What’s going on?”
“Nils and I are on the plane and we’re on our way in about two minutes. But, Heath, your brother needs more information on your father’s condition. Are we coming to a funeral?”
“He’s in emergency surgery. They’re placing a stent.”
“He’s alive?” Nelson whispered.
“He is. And we were just briefed that his prognosis is very good.”
Nelson took a few deep, steadying breaths. “Móeiðr. You’re not just trying to keep me happy? You’re not lying to keep me going and getting there on time?”
“Nils, I am not. Would you like to talk to Helene?”
“No, no, that’s okay,” he said, sniffling. “I’m on the way there. Please just call me if anything happens. Please. I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“Oh please. What could you have done? Placed the stent? Just get here, now, Brother.”
“Yes. And I swear that I won’t stay away like this anymore.” He looked around us. “I have my own friggin’ plane, there’s no excuse for me not to visit.”
“You’re right about that, but we’ll talk when you get here. See you soon, Nils. You too, Jace.”
“Same, Móeiðr.”
The phone disconnected and Nelson looked over at me. “Thank you.”
“You have me breaking rules for you, Mister Powers.”
He gave me a soft kiss. “I do. I’m a terrible influence.”
“You are.”
He cleared his throat. “Seriously, Jace. Thank you. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t climb out of the fog ofoh God, he’s gone.I’ve never…”
“No. Losing a parent isn’t easy. Losing a parent unexpectedly is a whole new ballgame.” I leaned into him and he rested his head on mine. “It happened twice to me. I know the fog you’re talking about.”
“I don’t know what I would do without you.”
The speaker overhead crackled. “We’re cleared for takeoff, Mister Powers, Mister McIntire. Please make sure you’re buckled in.”
I slipped back a bit and clicked the belt back together. Nelson grabbed my hand and held it for the whole flight.
