Page 17 of Painting Her Fate

We returned from the cafeteria where Claire distracted me for a couple of hours as we caught up on life. We conversed about everything from family and community news, my art and the gala preparations, her other grandchildren, the new addition coming soon, as well as her church work she is proud to be part of. It was nice having that distraction after everything that’s happened these past few days. We made our way back to dad’s room, my mind hazy and ready to be done for the day.

An hour later Grandpa Frank came to get Claire to stretch their legs. Once they were gone, I slid the chair closer to the bed and made myself as comfortable as I could get.

I hum a tune he loves as I lay my head down in his lap and take his hand in mine. I looked over the abrasions that nicked his flesh, studying every line, callus, and scar.

Even being this broken and bruised I still feel relief at the silent comfort he gives me. He is all I need. The monster doesn’t come knocking when he’s here.

Come back to me, dad.

I rouse to someone petting my hair, my mind taking a few seconds to remember where I was. Stiffening at the realization, I opened my eyes to find my dad’s hand was no longer in mine, rather he was the one caressing my head.

I shot straight up, my body protesting from it being in one position for so long, “Dad, you’re awake!” I fight to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over. The utter relief that flooded me was reassuring.

“Hello sweetheart.” His voice is dry and crackling, so I looked for some water.

A nurse making her rounds came in then. Noticing he was awake, she stepped out to get his cup of water. She returned a moment later telling him to take it easy for the first few sips. Content her patient won’t choke, she nods and leaves the room.

“How are you feeling?” I help him take one more sip before setting the cup on his tray.

“Just a little tired, I am happy to see you.” His medicated smile helped me relax that ever littlest bit.

“You know, you could’ve just called and asked me to visit. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble.” My tone conveys dry humor, something he always loved about me. My mood did a quick one-eighty, “Before Mack called me, I was thinking I needed a break away from everything.” I paused, taking his hand then whispering so I don’t break down, “I’ll be here for as long as it takes, dad.” Tears well in my eyes at the joy of finally seeing his eyes open.

His sleepy smile grows as he strokes my hand with his thumb. We sit there staring back at one another not having to say any words. This is how it’s always been with the two of us. Connecting on a deeper level.

“Oh good, you’re both awake.” Claire walks into the room, Grandpa Frank behind her. Dad tries clearing his throat as best he could.

*Raspy* “Mom, what are you doing here, shouldn’t you be heading to Guatemala?” He reaches for his water with his bandaged left arm then winces at the pain. Claire helps him take a sip then placed it back.

“I wasn’t going to just up and leave. I can always go on to the next one. My boy is more important than a trip.” Claire says, waving her hand dismissively.

She told me all about her church trip to Guatemala to help towns with

medical supplies. The church has saved for a few years to go, from the sounds of our talk she was really looking forward to it. When Grandpa Frank and Claire left for their outing, I made a quick call to Tamara to give her an update on dad and to see if she could send a last-minute anonymous donation to Claire’s church.

I personally am not religious, but for what they are trying to accomplish it takes more than just a positive attitude; it takes money, and I am happy to help in the cause.I speak up and try placing the utmost sincerity in my tone, hoping this will work.

“Grandma Claire, you can still go on your trip, Grandpa Frank and I will make sure he follows doctors’ orders.” Did it do the trick? From the looks of it I was correct.

Her surprise is shadowed by one of the happiest grins I have ever witnessed, “finally!” She all but shouts and I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole floor heard her. She rushes to me, crushes my head to her chest, squeezes tight, and rocks back and forth. “I am so pleased you called me that.” She pulls back and looks at me with her brows drawn together, “Is this your way of getting me gone so you can have your father all to yourself?” Her tone is playful as she lets me go.

“I believe you have discovered my true intentions.” I smiled, taking dad’s hand once more as I sat on the bed, “he will be sick of me in no time at all.”

“Like that would ever happen.” Dad wheezes out, a wince lighting his eyes.

Claire looks at us then to her husband near the doorway, his expression is stone. Frank is a quiet man in comparison to his wife. He would rather sit on a riverbank all day than go to conferences and meetings for the church with his wife, but you can tell he does it to please her. True love at its finest. Seeing their love for one another gives me hope that I could eventually find that someday.

“Alright.” She says throwing her hands in an ‘I give up’ gesture. “I will go on the trip. Frank is staying here and can help with anything you may need.”

Frank nods his agreement. “I can get a hotel room near here.”

“Will you all quit fussing over me? I’ll be fine, just some bumps and bruises. I’ll be dancing in no time.” Dad says trying to make light of the situation.

“Not to mention a broken leg, a few broken ribs- shall I keep going?” I sigh unrepented, “Dad, sorry to say it but you’re stuck with Grandpa Frank and I until you’re better. Or at least until grandma is back from her trip.”

Claire will be ruthless in his recovery and will be sure to set him straight if he tries his hand at anything he shouldn’t. This man doesn’t know what he has in store. I smile. He returns a sleepy grin, an amazing sight to see after what he’s just experienced.

“Speaking of the trip, I hear there was a last-minute donation of a generous sum of money; you wouldn’t know anything about that Lili dear, would you?” Her eyebrow cocks and a hand went to her hip.

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