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Zack
My dad was in and out, but Beverly warned me that we were getting close, and it would only be a matter of time before he slipped into a coma. The infection he was fighting was too much, and since he had a DNR in place, there wasn’t much I could do. He had set it up that he could get antibiotics as long as he could swallow them. Once he was unable to take his medication, he was to be kept comfortable only.
He had struggled with his meds this morning. I sighed as I leaned back in the chair and stared sightlessly at the television. One of his favorite crime shows was on, but it was just for noise.
Bev stepped into the room. “Zack, you have a friend at the door.”
“Can you just let them know that I’m busy?”
“I did, but she said her name was Rainey,” Bev replied after I spoke.
“Rainey?” I was on my feet and moving toward the door. I had told Beverly a little about my cruise. What was Rainey doing here? How did she know where to find me? I ran down the steps and threw open the door.
I could not believe that she was here, I mean really here. But was she? Had I maybe imagined her because I was so tired? I’d been sitting at my father’s bedside for four days, night and day.
“Rainey! What are you doing here?”
She was wearing a cream skirt and a light-pink blouse, and her hair was pulled up behind her head. I wanted to grab her face and kiss her lips, but I held myself back until she spoke.
“I heard that you might have use for a little rainbow in your life.”
My arms wrapped around her, and I buried my head into her shoulder as I sobbed. Rainey held me tightly, brushing her hand over my head and shoulders and kissing the side of my head and neck.
After I gained control of myself, I stepped back and sniffed as I wiped my cheeks. The smile she gave me went straight to my heart and made me want to cry all over again.
“Can I come in? I’ll understand if you want me to go.”
“No, don’t go.” I took her arm and led her inside, then into the living room.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Zack?”
“About my father?”
“About any of it?”
“How do you even know?”
“I ran into Bobby today at the hospital where I work. He was surprised we hadn’t been in touch but figured it was because of all that you were going through. He gave me a very brief rundown.”
“Of what?”
“Everything.”
I winced. “I guess I didn’t tell you because I was always the guy who had his shit straight, and now everything is falling apart.”
“Damn, Zack. I wish I had known what you were going through.”
“What would you have done? Bailed my sister out of jail like I had to do when I got home? Come here to sit with me while I watch my father waste away?”
“I would have listened, Zack. Like I did all those years ago when we were kids and you were frustrated about something. I would have listened so you could get it off your chest. No, I wouldn’t have bailed Valerie out. If she was in jail, then maybe she needs to stay there to get sober. I would have come to see you and your father, though, so you knew you weren’t alone.”
“I didn’t want to bother you with my problems, Rainey.”
“Zack, can I ask you a question?”
I nodded.
“Do you like me? Or was what we had on vacation just a holiday affair?”
