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“Not bad. A little sore but tolerable.”
“Good, good.”
“This is our daughter Cali and her friend.”
“Oh, so daughter one of two. I was wondering if we’d see you,” the nurse sang animatedly.
Cali frowned at her mother. “They just called,” fell from her mouth.
“I’m sure not to worry you. He’s doing great. No complications. Kidney stones are more uncomfortable than anything.” She checked a few things then was on her way to the door. “Everything looks good. I’ll let the doctor know.” She turned to Cali. “Cali or Conner?”
“Cali.”
“Nice to meet you, Cali. Your mother spoke highly of you both. I was surprised we hadn’t seen you before now.”
Spoke highly of the two daughters you barely even acknowledge?
Something in Cali twisted as she watched the nurse leave. The poor woman had no clue what she had revealed with that simple statement but as soon as she was out the door Cali smiled weakly at her father.
“I’m going to go.”
“You’re here, you might as well stay,” her mother cut in and Cali scoffed.
“Why? Is it going to look bad if the perfect daughter leaves so soon? That’s not giving All-American family, is it?”
“Cali…” her father stated softly.
“What? You know that’s the case and the only reason I’m here. You just said you don’t know why she called.”
“Not because I didn’t want you here. I simply didn’t see the point of bothering you and your sister.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go.”
“Cali, stay,” he stated firmly, more as a command than a desire to enjoy her company.
“You don’t want me here.” She threw her hands up and he tensed.
“Cali, respect your father,” her mother warned.
“Sure thing. Can’t have anyone walking in on America’s favorite family in the midst of a disagreement. That would be tragic.” Cali walked to the bed and kissed her father on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re okay, I really am, but neither of you want me here. At least not for the right reasons. I’m gonna go.”
When she searched his face for a rebuttal—a reason to prove she was wrong, prove he was grateful she showed up no matter what the reason—all she found was shame before he quietly offered, “It was good to see you, sweetheart. Tell your sister we said hello.”
Tell my sister, your daughter, you said hello.
As soon as Cali was in the hallway, War was on her, hovering close, not allowing any space for Cali to run with her spiraling emotions. “Hey, look at me.”
“For what? So you can see the truth?”
“What truth, Cali?”
“That I’m a fucking mess, that they’re the reason why I’m screwed up. That shit isn’t normal.” She threw her arm out to the side, pointing at her father’s hospital room. “Their love is not normal, but then again it might be. I don’t know what the fuck normal looks like.”
War gripped her chin and lifted her eyes to his. “Nah, that shit ain’t normal but what the fuck does normal mean? Normal is what you make it, Cali. Love is what you make it, what you need. What that shit damn sure isn’t is normal. The only thing love has to be is real, dependable, unwavering, loyal. And you’ll know what the fuck that looks like because I’m gonna show you.”
They remained in a stare down before he added, “Can you let me do that?”
She still didn’t respond so he leaned in closer. “Don’t worry about that shit in there. Even if they don’t got you, I do. Can you let me do that?”
