Page 136 of Fraud
“Killian,” he said, a faint smile spreading across his weak face.
“Hey, Dad,” I replied.
“You taking care of your mother for me?” he asked. “You know how she loves to have you in that kitchen with her.”
My heart clenched as I nodded, realizing the depth of his dementia.
“Yeah, Dad,” I answered, “I’m taking care of her.”
“Good,” he replied. “That’s my boy. Don’t forget to add garlic. You know how I love it.” His cough got the best of him just then, and he began to struggle for breath.
A single tear ran down my face. “I’ll sneak it in,” I promised.
“Sorry,” he apologized as I raised him up, patting his back. “Must have caught a cold. You’d better keep back. Don’t want to keep you out of school.”
“I’ll go in a little bit,” I said, settling him back in the bed. “But I wanted to talk to you for a while. I met a girl.”
His interest piqued. In all the years I’d lived at home, I’d never come to him about a girl. Sure, I’d dated plenty but never long enough to write home about.
Certainly not worth a father-son talk.
But, if my father was going to die soon, I wanted him to know I’d found her.
I’d found the one.
Even if I never saw Kate again, I wanted him to know I’d found the love of my life.
“What’s she like?” he asked. “Where did you meet?”
I knew the details would only confuse him, so I stuck to the basics. “She’s smart and funny in a quirky kind of way. She has a shy side, but can be incredibly daring if pressed. Dad, she makes me a better man.”
He squeezed my hand. “That’s all we can ever ask for, son. If you’ve found her, don’t let go. I haven’t, not from the first moment I saw your mother, and it was the best decision of my life. She gives my life meaning and purpose. She birthed my children, and we’ve made a life together.”
“I’ve lost her trust, Dad.”
“Then, you earn it back. Every day for the rest of your life, Killian. Bring her flowers,” he said, his eyes showing a clarity I hadn’t seen since I arrived. “Your mother loves it when I bring her flowers.”
I nodded, resting my head on the edge of the bed. I felt his hand sink into my hair, his fingers slowly brushing it.
“You’re a good boy,” he said.
I knew whatever clarity he’d had in that moment was gone. He patted my head and began prattling on about dinner again.
It was time to say good-bye. I hoped it wouldn’t be our last.
I snuck out a few minutes later after watching him fall back asleep.
He looked so peaceful and calm. It was hard to believe he was fighting for his life.
Stepping out into the hallway, I turned left, anticipating to find my brother.
Instead, I found the one person I’d least expected.
“Jane?” I exclaimed, recognizing the leggy blonde.
“It seems we need to talk,” she said, getting right down to business.
With a coffee cup clutched in her hand, she began to walk away, and I knew I was expected to follow.
