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Monroe
I stand outside of Animal Haven for a long time after Rhett’s taillights fade away. I know what he’s doing—he’s giving me the space to choose. He wants me to decide for myself. If he’d let me talk, he’d know I’ve already chosen him. But evidently that’s not enough. He wants actions, not just words.
I understand that, and I want to give him what he wants. I just have to take care of something else first.
I finally turn to lock up Animal Haven and climb back into my truck. I should take care of my own life before I insert myself into someone else’s.
I type out a quick text to Tess and Claire.
Can you meet me at Dirty Dicks in an hour?
Claire replies back almost instantly.
Did you think I would say no? ?
Tess’s reply is simple.
Yes.
The drive home is too quick, barely allowing me a chance to think about what I’m going to say, but that’s okay because my future is all I thought about on the drive home from Houston. When I step into my house, I know what I want; I just have to have the courage to ask for it.
“Hey, Daddy.” I bend down to kiss my dad on the cheek.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Sharon gathering her things.
“Would you mind staying a while longer?” I ask her. “There are a few things I want to talk to Dad about, and I’d like for you to be here.”
Sharon looks between me and Dad for a moment and then puts her purse back on the hook behind the door. She comes to sit on the tattered La-Z-Boy. Dad’s wheelchair is pulled up next to her, and I sit opposite them on the couch.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what we talked about, Dad, and I think you should do it,” I begin.
“D-do what?” he asks.
“I think you should move in with Sharon.”
He smiles.
So does Sharon.
Tears fill my eyes. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Six years of taking care of my father every day, and things are finally going to change. I can barely comprehend what that means. As excited as I am for my future, I’m also sad.
“I want you to be happy, Daddy, and if Sharon makes you happy, I don’t want to hold you back and keep you from living your life.”
“Mo.” Dad moves his wheelchair closer to me and reaches out with his good hand. I wrap my fingers around his and smile. “You are th-the best daughter a m-m-man could ever ask for. You have n-never held me b-b-back. It’s me who h-has held you b-back.”
Pushing up from the couch, I wrap my arms around him. “I’m going to miss you.”
He buries his face in my hair, and when I pull back, his eyes are filled with tears. “Y-you’ll still see m-me plenty. This is a g-good thing, M-mo.”
“I know.” I nod, smiling tremulously at him. “I know it’s a good thing, but it’s a big change, and change is scary.”
“Life is s-scary, but you have t-to live it. You can’t l-let your life p-pass you by, Mo, or one d-day you’ll look back and h-have a mountain of r-r-regrets.”
“I know.”
Sharon reaches for Dad’s hand, and I can’t help but smile. I want that. I want to grow old with Rhett and be his rock. I want him to be the person I turn to when I have a problem or need to smile. I want him with me every single day, and I’m ready to take the steps I need to to get that.
“I want to go back to school,” I declare.
