AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay. I got a flight out at five this evening.”
“Okay. I’ll let him and Mama know.”
“I’m hurrying, Kenna. Love you.”
She smiled. She always chided him on being too slow.
Jonathon responded a while later.
“I’m on my plane now. Will be there in two hours.”
“Okay,”
she responded.
Addy pulled into her parents’ driveway, and she sucked in a deep breath. Already it felt like a house of mourning. Even the flowers outside looked sad.
Addy turned her head and smiled. “Are you ready, Kenna?”
She looked into her friend’s beautiful brown eyes and tried to smile, but even she could tell it was fake. “Yes. And no. Is that bad?”
“It’s not bad at all. I’ll be with you.”
She could only nod as her eyes filled with tears once again. It was a pattern she didn’t like.
They walked side by side to the kitchen door just off the carport. She twisted the handle and opened the door, surprised it wasn’t locked.
“Mama.” She called out softly, so she didn’t disturb her father if he was sleeping.
Her mom appeared from the bedroom down the hallway. She met her mom halfway and wrapped her in a warm embrace.
Her mom kissed her temple then smiled. “How are you this morning?”
“I’m good.” Her mom looked behind her to Addy. “You didn’t bring your handsome young man today.”
“He has to work. This is my friend Addy. Adelaide Masters. Addy, this is my mom, Niya.”
Addy stepped forward and wrapped her mom in a sweet embrace. “It’s nice to meet you, Niya.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Addy.” Her mom smoothed the front of her blouse, her hands shivering.
“Mama. How are you? How’s Daddy?”
Her mom’s lips quivered slightly, and Kenna wrapped her arm around her mom’s shoulders.
“I’m as fine as I can be. Daddy won’t be with us much longer. He’s barely woken up today. The doctor is on his way out here.”
“Let’s go see him. Sean and Jon are on their way home.”
Her mom’s sad face turned to her. “They won’t make it, honey.”
She swallowed again and turned to Addy. Addy nodded slightly and held her hand as they made their way down the hallway and to her dad’s bedside.
The room looked exactly as it had last night. Everything was right where it always was. Except her father was lying down on the bed now, his grayish pallor stark against the crisp white pillowcase. His mouth hung open and his chest barely rose and fell with his breaths.
Kenna inhaled as she sat on the edge of the bed, near her father. She picked up his still hand and held it between hers.
“Hi, Daddy.”
