He shrugged.“I got nowhere else to go.I’m lucky to have that choice.”
Neither of them said it but both of them thought of when he’d lived on the street.Aria couldn’t imagine how bad that would have been, to have to live on the street when you were dying.
She’d been thinking about her father more and more lately.Could she continue to reject him when he was dying?At first she’d wanted nothing to do with him.But his story had touched her.And she’d researched PTSD on the internet.Of course, you couldn’t believe everything, but there was enough to convince her that her father had been a victim of his illness.Because that’s what PTSD was.
“You can stay here.”She had an extra room.Totally empty but she could get a bed in there quickly.A hospital bed would be better, but she’d cross that bridge when he agreed.
But he didn’t.He shook his head decisively.“No.That’s not why I came.I just wanted to see you and my grandchild one more time.”
“I want you to stay here.We can get in-home hospice care.”She could get Ryan to help her arrange everything.She knew he would, even though she’d told him to leave.Something she’d regretted almost the moment she’d said it.But she’d been hurt.Still was.
“No.It wouldn’t be right.”
Now that she’d made the decision she didn’t plan to take no for an answer.“I’m your daughter.Of course it’s right.”
“After what I did—”
“You were sick.It wasn’t anything you chose.Let me have this last chance to know you.”
“Why?You don’t owe me anything.”
“I owe it to myself.I want—I need to take care of you.Let me.”
“You need to think about this,” he said.“It’s a lot to ask anyone, much less someone who has no reason to help me.”
“You’re my father.That’s reason enough.”
“No.Not the kind of father I was.I don’t think it would work.”
He hadn’t said no categorically but he sure hadn’t said yes either.
*
Aria proceeded asif her father had agreed to live with her.If she’d had anyone else to turn to, Aria wouldn’t have called Ryan.But he was a doctor and a veteran and he was the obvious choice to ask for help.Not to mention he knew both her and her father.If he was going to leave town at least he could do this for her before he went.
He answered on the first ring.“Aria?Is something wrong with Sophie?”
“No, she’s fine.I called about something else.”
“Have you thought about what I told you?”
Of course.How could she help but think about it?Which didn’t mean she believed it.“That isn’t why I called.I need your help.”
“All right.What do you need?”
“It’s about my father.”She explained what Steven had told her about his cancer and that she had asked him to move in with her so she could help care for him.“But I need several things before I can do that.I need to arrange hospice care, for one thing.A bed for another.A hospital bed would be best.He doesn’t need it at the moment but I’m sure he will.”Before it’s over.But she wouldn’t think of that.She’d focus on right now.
“I can help with that.I’m glad you’re doing this.I think you’d have regretted not getting to know him again.”
“I knew he was sick from the first time he came here.But hearing that he might only have weeks to live made it real.I couldn’t let him die alone.Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”She needed reassurance.It was ironic that she went to the person she’d just kicked out of her life.But as upset as she was with Ryan, she knew he was far too compassionate to turn her down.If he truly did love her—No, she wouldn’t indulge in wishful thinking.
“Absolutely.Let me make some calls.Is Steven still with you?”
“For now.He has a friend coming to get him.Honestly, I’m a little afraid he won’t come back.I’m not sure I’ve convinced him I really want him here.”
“But you know where he’s staying, right?”
“Yes.Same place he’s been.The veterans’ home in Bozeman.”
