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“Call her.”
“No.” The amused look vanished from his face.
“You’re both suffering.”
“She seemed fine to me.”
“Darling-“
“No. She isn’t prepared to tell her old man about us and I’m not prepared to be her dirty little secret. Now shut up and let me enjoy the show.”
*****
She sprang up at the knock on the door and wiped the tears with the edge of the throw blanket.
She knew who it was, of course. She’d rushed into the house and straight upstairs without stopping to check on her Dad.
“Come in.” Picking up the remote, she turned the TV on, pretending she’d been watching all along.
Plumping up the pillows behind her, she sat up and watched as he walked into her bedroom. He still looked a little shaky, she thought as he came to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Can’t sleep?”
“I was wondering why you didn’t stop to wish me goodnight.” He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her curiously. “Don’t tell me that nice young man turned out to be a disappointment.”
“No.” She forced a smile. “I felt this blinding headache coming on and had a difficult time concentrating on the show. I’m afraid I ruined the evening for Mark.”
“I’m certain that being a doctor, he understands. How are you feeling now?”
“It’s easing off a bit. I took something.” She hated she was lying so frequently now, this wasn’t her.
“Darling, are you sure everything is okay?”
“Why do you ask?”
He spread his hands and she felt a spike of fear when she noticed the slight tremors. “I recalled a conversation we had and you told me that you met someone. Was it Mark?”
She thought about lying again and decided against it.
“No. It didn’t work out.”
“You’re not willing to tell me who it was?”
“It’s over and done with, so it’s a good thing you weren’t introduced.” Dropping the remote, she took his hand in hers.
“The tremors are still there.”
“I suspect they’ll be there while I’m taking that new medication. It’s not out of control and Julian told me it’s nothing to worry about.”
“How do you feel?”
“Great.”
“I was thinking I should come into the office more. I know I’m busy with the various charities, and I added more to the ones Mom was in charge of, but I should be helping out at the office.”
“I have a great group of people who do a really good job. I’m thinking of cutting back some.” He smiled at her. “Hopefully I’ll be hearing wedding bells by December.”
“Daddy-“
