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"I wish Josh could have been home for you to meet. He’s in North Carolina on business… More often than not, really.” She shrugs, then flips the page.
“How’d the two of you meet?” I ask as she stares down at a portrait of her husband holding the twins, one in each arm.
She smiles lovingly at the portrait, then sighs. “He was actually a patient in the ER when I was interning at UK. He’d been injured in a roof collapse and was med vac’d in.”
“Josh is a coal miner?”
“Was… He’s in coal sales now, which is why he’s away from home so much.”
“But he doesn’t work for Simon Energy?” This, I find odd.
“No, he works for American Heritage Coal Company. It’s a small company near Lexington. His best friend is the owner.”
“Kinda strange that he doesn’t work for the family business, though, right?”
“Not really…” Savannah replies. “I mean, he’s been with AHCC for years, and he’s very loyal to Drew. I don’t know that Daddy has ever talked business with him. They keep their distance.”
“Interesting…”
“Okay, I see how you’ve turned the tables, Carly.” She huffs and hits me with a pillow.
“You kinda walked right into it, Sav. What can I say, though? Daddy has a history of hating the men we love.” I quickly pull the wine flute to my mouth, swallowing back a large gulp to remove the sour taste that last comment leaves in my mouth. Savannah quirks a brow and continues flipping through the album, pointing out different pictures.
With every remark about her children, her smile beams brighter. Being a mom means so much to her, and it’s obvious she enjoys being there for the special memories the twins are creating every day. I’m sure she has never thrown away one single thing of the twins’ since birth. Heck, she even has their umbilical cords and first pacifiers. I can’t help but laugh at the mother she has become. She takes pride in the love she showers her children with, a motherly love we were neglected of as kids. Despite the palpable skip of my heart, I’m happy she has this.
Finally, around three am we put away the photo albums and stagger off to bed. After a long day of travel and an emotional reunion, I’m completely busted. I climb into the guest room bed and stretch my limbs into relaxation. I pull the heavy down comforter tightly around my face and snuggle deep into the pillow. It’s been forever since I’ve slept in a bed other than my own, but before I know it, I drift into a peaceful slumber.
Chapter 3
Carly
I return to the hospital bright and early the next morning to spend the day with Daddy. Savannah has a school trip to attend with the twins’ class, so this is the perfect chance for Daddy and I to have some quality time with one another. I’m a Nervous Nelly because I know he has as many questions as Savannah did. No, more.
I stop by the hospital café to get some orange juice and donuts for Daddy and me to share. He refuses to eat the mess they call food here. According to Savannah, he basically lives off Ensure and orange juice. His stomach is too sensitive for food, a side effect of the chemotherapy, but donuts were always his favorite snack. If anything, it will be a sweet gesture.
I get to Daddy’s room just as his team of doctors are making their rounds. They perform the usual glance and nod of his file, check his vitals, ask how he’s feeling and if he has any questions. Then they are on their way out the door.
Daddy is weaker than he was yesterday evening when I visited him, so as the doctors leave the room, I follow. “Excuse me, Doctor?” Not sure which doctor I should be approaching, I speak to the small group as a whole. The oldest of the five turns on his heels and focuses his attention directly on me.
“Yes, ma’am, I don’t believe we have met. My name is Dr. Michael Hatfield, I’m the Director of Oncology here at Williamstown Cancer Center, and the lead specialist treating Mr. Simon. And you would be?”
“Carolina Simon, I’m John’s youngest daughter. I’ve only recently found out about my daddy’s illness, and I have several questions for you, if you don’t mind?”
“Yes, Ms. Simon. Let’s have coffee together in the family conference room. It’s just down the hall to your left. I will be in shortly; I just need to finish the last of my rounds,” Dr. Hatfield states before turning back to his colleagues.
I find the family conference room with ease and help myself to a cup of coffee. Dr. Hatfield catches up with me quickly and fills me in on Daddy’s prognosis. Apparently, Daddy has an aggressive lung cancer—Small Cell Carcinoma. They have treated the cancer to the full extent, and it’s only a matter of time before his lungs will fully collapse because the cancer has completely consumed his frail body. In Dr. Hatfield’s professional opinion, Daddy will be lucky to live a few more days.He assures me that his staff is doing all they can to ensure Daddy is comfortable in his final days.
Fighting back the tears that threaten to stain my cheeks, I shake Dr. Hatfield’s hand and thank him for his time. I leave the conference room in search of a restroom so I can calm myself before going in to visit Daddy. He’s weak enough, and he doesn’t need to worry over my heartache. I want our time together to be special and memorable.
When I get back to Daddy’s bedside, he has already helped himself to a couple donuts and drank all his orange juice. “Good morning, Daddy, you didn’t give them nurses a hard time last night, did ya?” I kid him.
“Nah now, princess, you know me. If I like ya, I’m gonna give ya a hard time. It’s all in good fun.” He settles into his pillows, tucking the sheet around his waist. “Thanks for the donuts,” he says with a wink. He looks stronger and even his speech isn’t as labored as it was last night.
I lean in and give him a warm hug. Sitting in the small leather recliner, I prop my feet up. My emotions are rampant, and I’m not quite sure where to pick up. We’ve only made amends, but a seven-year gap strains even the closest bonds. Twisting my foot back and forth at the edge of the recliner, Daddy senses my nerves. I’m sure our brief silence has annoyed him as much as it has me.
“Carolina Jo, time ain’t on our side. No need in keepin’ things bottled up any longer. You’re here, finally.” His voice is low and weak. “Now let’s lay all the cards on the table. What’s on your mind?” The anguish in his voice is soul crushing.
I take a deep breath and consider what it is I truly want to know. I have several thoughts in mind, but first things first. “Why didn’t you come after me?” Heat crawls up my neck, flush against my skin, suffocating me slowly. Daddy inclines his bed to get a better look at me. He begins to pull his oxygen mask off, but I sternly shake my head, and he leaves it tight on his face so he can breathe easier.
