“He’s the one that has been freaking out about meeting everyone. I think he had this picture of a perfect family in his head where he’s the odd one out.” I should have prepared him better.
“I’m glad you brought him to meet the family,” Dad said, his attention on the road. I’m just sorry Bev picked this day to make trouble. He seems like a nice guy.”
“Yeah, he is,” I said, searching the few people on the sidewalk. She could be any of them. “Do I sense a but?”
“Butts are for chairs. I don’t see any chairs around here, do you?”
I grinned. “So you approve?”
“As if what we think matters?”
“Of course it does. He’s a little different. He’s…had a rough life. Jake isn’t like anyone I’ve been with before. Dad, I think he is the one.”
“That was fast, but it happens sometimes like that, doesn’t it? Your Mom and I? I always knew she was the one, but our love developed over time. Sometimes love just hits you like a train and drags you along with it.”
I couldn't help smiling at the thought of Jake. “I guess I’ve been looking for all the wrong types of people and in the wrong kinds of places. He was completely unexpected.”
“It happens like that too sometimes,” he said and play-punched my shoulder which made me grimace. “Sorry! I’m happy for you. I mean it.”
I blew out a big breath. “I’m never going to forgive Bev for this, you know that, right?”
Dad passed me a sorrowful look. “I’m sorry we ruined his Christmas.”
I had to laugh at that because Jake had been the one stressing about making bad impressions and ruining holidays. The traffic light went through another cycle.
“I was planning to tell you tomorrow, but now is a good time. I’m retiring at the end of next year, Gabe. I’ve thought about it and discussed it with your mother, and I think it’s time.”
All I could do was blink at him. He’d talked before about retiring early and he had the means to do it obviously.
“You understand what that means?”
I just stared at him because although I knew the clinic would eventually transfer into my hands, I never imagined it actually happening. I’d already gone through the typical fear responses of assuming control of the family business—What if I bring shame to our reputation?
“Do you think you’re ready to run the clinic, son?” He prompted.
I couldn’t help smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. “No, I don’t think I’ll ever be, but… Dad…”
“You’re a great doctor. You have plenty of experience. This year we’re going to have to work on finding your replacement.” He reached over and squeezed my neck. “I have every faith in you.”
I blinked back my tears. “Thanks.”
“We will talk about this some more another time.” His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. He nodded, his eyes glassy. “Okay. Your mom is right. You’re right. We're going home.”
I blew out a big breath. “The place Jake mentioned is on the way back so we might as well check it out.”
“We can’t keep doing this. I can’t. We should be at home celebrating. You shouldn’t be here with me searching dark alleys for an addict. It’s not fair to you.”
“You love Bev. Don’t apologize for that,” I said honestly.
He shook his head and huffed. “Okay, let’s check out this place Jake suggested. If she’s not there we go home and try to salvage what’s left of Christmas.”
It took a little effort to find the dirt road that led under the ramp. It was gated and locked, but the fence next to it had been cut open. Broken bottles crunched under our feet and dead weeds tangled our legs. The cardboard tents and a used needle on the ground let me know this was the right place.
We split up, carefully looking for Bev among the homeless and mentally ill. I was angry at her for putting us through this. Most of the people here were bundled up and passed out so it was hard seeing who was who. A small part of me hoped we didn’t find her, that she’d just disappear forever so my family didn’t have to suffer through this again.
The whole thing seriously sucked. I wanted to be with Jake right now and hold him, so he knew how precious he was. And I wanted to play with Amelia and make her laugh.
I stilled, eying a figure dressed in a dirty jacket and beanie propped against the stone supports. Blond hair spilled out from the hat. It wasn’t her, was it? She wouldn’t make it this easy. But it was and I hardly recognized her. I called for my father and bent down to check her condition. She was alive, thankfully but clearly out of it.
