AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you think that’s wise?” Megan asked.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“No reason,” their father said, sending Megan a look Jesska couldn’t quite decipher.
A nurse entered the room and smiled. “Miss Bailey, I’m here to take you down to radiology.”
“Have you heard anything about my daughter, Sophia?” Megan asked.
“She’s still in surgery. But don’t worry, your X-rays will be quick. You’ll be back before you know it.”
Megan nodded and the nurse unlocked the brakes on her bed and wheeled her out of the room. Jesska sat by the window to wait for her to return.
Her father sat next to her, taking her hand. “How are you, honey? We haven’t seen you in a few weeks.”
Jesska forced a smile. “I know, Dad. I’ve been busy.”
“But not so busy you can’t have dinner with the Kings every night.”
She pulled her hand from his. “It’s not every night.”
“Well, it’s certainly a hell of a lot more time than you’re spending with us.”
“Dad, don’t start, okay?”
He frowned. “At some point you have to move on.”
Jesska stood, trying to gain some distance. “I have moved on.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. And you lost the right to tell me what to do ten years ago.”
“I’m still your father, Jess,” he said, sadly.
“Well, for the last time, let me spell it out for you. I know you want me to find some nice guy and settle down. But what you fail to see is that I had my one true love, and he was stolen from me.”
“You need to get a handle on your depression, Jesska.”
She crossed her arms. “At least I’m not going the way of Mom.”
He frowned. “You know your mom’s sensitive.”
“Maybe she wouldn’t be so sensitive if she stopped drinking four bottles of wine a day,” she snapped.
“I’d rather you didn’t speak about your mother that way.” He sighed. “Look, I don’t want to fight. I just miss you. We all miss you.”
She forced down her guilt, grabbing again for Seth’s ring around her neck. “Maybe I can clear something in my schedule next week and come over for dinner.”
“That would be really appreciated,” her father said.
She stared out the window as they sat in tense silence. When her sister returned, Jesska tried not to yell in celebration. Now her father could turn his worry onto Megan instead of Jesska. The nurse got Megan settled in her bed, gave her another dose of meds, and then went to find out what was going on with Sophia.
“How are you feeling?” Jesska asked.
“Worried,” Megan admitted.
Their father took her hand. “She’ll be fine.”
