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Luna puts her hand over mine. “He’s as strong as an ox, just like you.”
“Stubborn as a mule, too.”
“Like someone else I know.”
Neither of us have heard from dad since the day we made our announcement. And Tag officially claimed me at the table.
I realize it’s a lot for him, but he’s not even being reasonable. He’s been ignoring Luna’s texts, and that’s not fair.
She already feels guilty enough as it is.
Once we arrive, we find his floor and quickly notice Lisa in the waiting room.
It's bad if she's out here.
She folds into Luna’s arms as I wrap my arms around both of them.
She cries quietly as Luna comforts her.
“Tell us what happened,” Luna says, pushing her mom’s hair back from her face.
“He was doing too much as usual,” she says. “I’ve been nagging him about lifting too much and putting too much pressure on himself, but he never asks for help. Today he overdid it.”
“Was this us?” I say, my voice barely audible. “For what we did?”
Lisa turns her tear-stained face to mine. “No, Thomas. It had nothing to do with you. Your Dad’s cholesterol has been high for a while now. We’ve been monitoring it, as it wasn’t a problem. The doctor said the strain on his heart from lifting just triggered the onset. At first, he felt breathless, then he collapsed.
“Holy shit,” I mutter.
When they say your life passes between your eyes in moments of despair, they’re not fuckin’ kidding.
Torment runs through me for unspoken words, yet I still love my father despite his years of hell.
Now I may never get the chance. He could die not knowing and being mad at me and Luna.
“It’s okay, Mom,” Luna says. She helps her mom into the seat but I remain standing. Ain’t no way I’m gonna fit into a plastic chair. “We’re here now. It’s going to be okay.”
I fuckin’ hope she’s right.
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner about his diet?” I ask, trying not to make it sound gruff.
She wipes her nose with a soggy tissue. “We didn’t want you to worry, and he’s been doing better. He clearly struggles to ask for help.” She gives me a look which I feel all the way down to my toes.
I vow right then that I’ll do better. I’ll try to fix this, even if I don’t know how.
“How soon did the EMTs arrive?” Luna asks.
“Pretty fast,” Lisa says. “He was fine until they got halfway there, then he had a cardiac arrest.”
My stomach sinks.
Just hearing those words.
My father could have died.
I ask myself if I’ve done everything possible to make amends. Despite his difficulties, I acknowledge I'm not easy to get along with.
“After they revived him, they kept him stable.” She tears up again. “I just want him to be okay.”
