He studied her with weary eyes.Other than a slight pallor, he didn’t look unwell.She greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
“You gave us a scare,” she said.
“It’s overblown,” he said, harrumphing.“I’ll be fine.”
“I hear you’re taking meds for high blood pressure.”
He glanced out the window, his mouth grim.“I just started.Two months ago.”
“What happened to this new stage of honesty between us?Not holding back, or keeping secrets?”
“It’s a work in progress,” he said.
She laughed, despite the heightened tension in the room.Or perhaps because of it.
“I wanted a fair chance at repairing our relationship,” he said, after a short pause.“Telling you about my health problems would have tipped the scale.I wanted your love and respect, not your pity.”
“Dad—”
“Please,mi’ja.I just had a heart attack.Can we argue about it tomorrow?”
She laughed again, tears filling her eyes.“I guess it can wait.”
He grasped her hand.“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
She didn’t say anything more.He looked tired, and she didn’t want to overtax him.After a few minutes, he patted her hand and released it.
“It’s late,” he said.“Take Emily home and don’t worry.”
“Jackson’s here.”
“Well, send him in.”
“I suppose he’s easier to deal with than me.”
“No,” her father said, surprising her.“He has his own grievances.”
“What grievances?”
He cleared his throat.“I’ve been too hard on him at work.My indiscretions have made life difficult for him.”
She frowned at this news.“He said that?”
“He doesn’t have to say it.”
Vanessa shook her head, sighing.“Of course.Why would anyone in this family communicate openly?”
“How’s your friend?Paul, was it?”
“We’re not friends anymore.”
“Why?”
“He lied to me.”
“Maybe he’s a work in progress.”
