AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She went to the edge of the bed, putting her hands on the railing. “Dad.”
He opened his gray eyes with milky circles around them. His wrinkled skin drooped when he spoke. “I’m sorry Riley. I didn’t protect you.”
CHAPTER21
Riley grabbed the metal chair from the corner and returned to her father’s bedside. She took his frail hand in hers, meeting the watery gray eyes. Her thumb caressed his withered skin, smoothing the dark blue veins that protruded from his wrist.
“I’m right here, Dad,” she said.
Daniel’s eyes moved around the room, as if he were trying to remember how he got there. “Where am I?”
Her chest squeezed as she patted her father’s hand. “This is your room. Don’t you remember nurse Betty? She will bring your pills and breakfast in a couple of hours.”
He glanced toward the window. “Betty. She brings me my apple juice.”
“She also reads to you, and orders your favorite meals.”
He turned towards her, taking her hand in his. “I miss you when you’re gone.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t in to visit you the last couple of days. I saw Dr. Henry as usual, but something happened after our session that kept me from coming to visit sooner.”
Daniel’s eyes moved to the corner of the room, focusing on Colton. The shadows appear to swallow him, making it difficult to see his outline. “He happened.”
Riley glanced at Colton. “He’s my friend. He brought me to visit you.”
Colton stepped from the shadows. “I’m surprised you noticed me.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed on Colton. “I know what you are.” He glanced at Riley. “Cami, you need to stay away from him. You promised.”
“Dad, it’s me, Riley. Mom isn’t here.” Her voice cracked as she spoke.
Daniel rubbed his eyes with wrinkled fingers. “I’m sorry, honey. I get confused. How was school today?”
Riley swallowed the lump in her throat. “I graduated a few years ago. You gave me a pink chrysanthemum corsage to wear with my black and white robes. You caught my hat when I threw it in the air.”
Daniel’s eyes glazed over. “I offered to take you to a fancy restaurant, but you wanted burgers and ice cream. I was so proud of you.”
Tears welled in Riley’s eyes. “That’s right. We both had bacon, double-cheese burgers and had to take antacids later that night.”
“I didn’t believe you had a stomach ache. I think you took those so I wouldn’t feel old,” he teased.
Riley took a deep breath. Experience had proved that when she had her dad in the present, she was more likely to get an accurate answer. “I’ve been reminiscing about mom. Some things came up at my session with Dr. Henry. Questions about my past and how it relates to the trauma I experienced.”
Daniels’ face scrunched. “Are you struggling with the attack? I thought you were past that, but these things can resurface. I struggled with PTSD myself. It was strange how things would trigger me when I retired from the military. I’m not sure I would’ve gotten past it if it wasn’t for your mother.”
Riley leaned towards his bed. “Do you know anything about mom’s family? There’s a chance some of the things I’m experiencing are genetic.”
“I never met Cami’s family. Her parents lived overseas. She was outgoing and fun until her best friend died. You were a baby, you never got to see her before that day. It changed her, and our lives forever.”
“Did mom have any Haitian heritage?”
Daniel stared at the ceiling. “My beautiful Cami.”
Riley squeezed his hand. “Dad this is important.”
“Cami’s mother was African. Her father was American. They met when he was overseas. Cami emigrated to the states when she was twelve. That’s when she met Allie. Those girls were inseparable.”
“Allie was her friend? The one that died?” Riley asked.
