Page 21 of Crazy for You
I wiped my face with my shirt. Episodes like that were becoming the norm, no matter how much we pureed his food.
I plastered on a happy face as best I could, then slipped in quietly. As soon as Dad laid eyes on me, he lit up as though he hadn’t just hacked up a lung. Suddenly, my heart opened and my stomach settled.
Nan appeared flustered, and I couldn’t blame her. “You’re home early. Did you go to the beach with Mia and Georgia?”
“I changed my mind.” I wanted to be there when Colton came over. We hadn’t discussed a time, and if I knew my friends, they would be at the beach until the sun went down. Plus I wanted to spend time with Dad before Colton made me into a complete bag of nerves.
Nan cleared his table. “I need to tidy up the kitchen.” She collected a towel and placed it on top of the dirty plate. Then she left without another word.
I squeezed Dad’s toes, which were poking out of the cushioned boots he wore to elevate his legs and reduce the fluid buildup. “Are you good?”
He blinked once, which was our code for yes. Then he eyed his computer, which was tucked off to the side near the window.
I swung the arm of the stand in front of him and hit the power button. “Our old house is up for sale.” I’d planned on telling him the night before, but he was asleep when I got home.
He lifted his eyebrows before he focused on the computer screen. Then he blinked as he typed with his eyes. “How much is the house selling for?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just saw the sign.” I didn’t think he had the money to buy it back. “So Colton is stopping by later. I’ll ask him to help me with the Toyota.”
“Are you and Colton studying? Do you have the same classes?” the computer voice asked.
“No. I busted a wheel on my board,” I said. “I’m going to see if he can fix it.”
Dad’s gaze flicked to my elbow, and within a minute the computer voice said, “You fell. Is that what happened to your arm?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, hoping he didn’t ask more questions. I didn’t want to explain how Colton had rammed his truck into me.
Concern washed over Dad.
“Dad, falling comes with the sport. You know that.” I showed him my elbow. I still had a Band-Aid on it. “It’s nothing. I’m a tough cookie. Isn’t that what you tell me all the time?”
He gave me a proud smile, which I was going to miss. “Do you need money to buy a new wheel?”
“Not yet. I’ll see what Colton can do first.” I prayed he could fix it. “So did you aspirate earlier?” I wanted to change the subject. The more we talked about Colton, the more my stomach twisted.
“Don’t worry about me,” he typed.
I huffed. “I will. I don’t want to lose you, Dad.” I knew that was an odd statement, given that he would die sooner rather than later, but I wanted him around as long as possible. I at least wanted him to see me graduate.
He turned red as he frowned, his bottom lip quivering.
I grabbed his cold hand. “Don’t start. It’s No-Crying Tuesday.” I smiled even though I was gutted inside and ready to bawl again.
He began typing. “My sister sent me a message today. She’ll be here on Saturday.”
Well, crap.I’d kind of forgotten about her. My stomach tumbled, and a nauseous feeling settled inside.
The doorbell rang. I was tempted to answer it to avoid the subject, but Nan would beat me to it.
My pesky nerves were dancing up a storm as footsteps clamored down the hall. Nan laughed at something Colton said.
His deep voice was smooth as silk and causing all kinds of goosebumps to pop to attention on my arms. When he sauntered in, he seemed taller and bigger than I remembered. Or maybe the ceiling was too low for his height. His tattered jeans hung low on his hips, and his Blue Oaks High T-shirt stretched across his muscled chest. His hair was damp from a recent shower, I imagined, and he had the beginnings of scruff along his jaw.
The word “yum” blared in my head, and I had to stifle a moan.
He ambled up to Dad with his arm extended. “Mr. Lawson, good to see you again.”
“My dad can’t shake hands.”
