Page 43 of Hart of Hope
“Of course. Thank you, Dad. I can’t tell you how much I love you.”
I hadn’t shed a tear since before I’d left home as a teenager, but I was about to bawl like a damn baby. “I’m so proud of you, sweetie.”
“I listened to every word you ever told me about your former career. You would be pleased to hear that I’m taking self-defense classes on Grace’s advice. I do hope she comes to the banquet.”
While I was struggling with whether I wanted Grace to come, I realized I was being selfish. Fran looked up to Grace. And I couldn’t deny my daughter her happiness.
“I’ll call her,” I said.
She leaned her head against my shoulder. “Thank you. I love her, Dad. She’s done so much for me, and I would like her to be here.”
“Grace has a lot going on. So don’t be upset if she doesn’t come. Now, Ryan… Tell me about him.”
Fran adjusted the scarf around her neck. “Well, every year, our school offers two scholarships through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Oakwood is trying to beef up its sports program, and since Rye is a great ballplayer, his name went to the top of the list to get a scholarship.”
Oakwood Academy catered to the best of the best in academics. Its high school entrance exam rivaled the SAT, even though entering freshmen hadn’t taken the SAT yet. Fran had passed her entrance exam with flying colors.
“Didn’t Ryan have to take the entrance test?”
“In a way, yes, but his application process was based heavily on his story. Then the school looked at grades. Ryan’s were decent but not stellar. He’s been struggling in his classes, so the school counselor recommended me to be his tutor. I don’t know if he’ll pass his exams in June. He’s really behind. I should’ve been tutoring him from the moment Oakwood accepted him in January.”
“So you really like this boy?”
We crossed the street, the restaurant in our sights.
“I do, Dad. Like me, he lost a parent. I feel a connection to him. Like I could help him.” Sadness wove through her voice. “His dad died from a heart attack when Ryan was a freshman.”
“He’s a sophomore like you?”
“Yeah, but he won’t be graduating after his junior year like I will. The baseball coach probably would have a fit if Ryan left school early. He’s that good.”
Silence followed us to the entrance of the restaurant.
“Dad, when was the last time you had a physical?” Concern etched her tone.
It was clear she was thinking about Ryan’s dad.
“I’m healthy.” I hadn’t had a physical in my life.
However, I had been in the emergency room after being stabbed in a street fight, which was when I met her mother. Shayla had been the ER nurse on duty that night.
“Would you get a physical for me?”
My chest tightened at the sheer fear I could see washing over her. “Of course. But you’re not going to lose me, Fran. I’m not in that world anymore either.”
She hugged me. “I just worry about you.”
I grabbed her shoulders. “Hey, I want you to enjoy school and your friends. I promise I will see a doctor.”
She was tugging at my fatherly heartstrings, and Grace was tugging on my—dare I say husbandly—heartstrings.
Holy fuck!Why was I even thinking of husband and wife?
I, suddenly, needed a stiff drink. Too bad the restaurant didn’t serve alcohol. But the hotel I was staying at that night did. I was going to need an entire bottle, especially since I had to call Grace.
15
GRACE
