A few minutes later, I parked in front of Pop’s place again, then went inside. Kristin had just checked on him, and she told me he was awake.
I tapped on the door with my knuckle before opening it.
Pop Dean smiled when he noticed me. “My boy, Coye.”
“I had to come back and check on you,” I told him as I sat in the chair next to his bed.
This cancer shit was taking a toll on him, and I hated it. He wasn’t the same man he’d been my whole life.
“Where’s River?”
“I dropped her off at home.” I pulled on my beard, debating whether I wanted to tell him what happened or not. “She’s mad at me right now.” I waited for him to say something, but he didn’t. “I suggested we tell Jordan about us, and she flipped. I have to admit that I probably should have waited because her emotions were already high.”
Pop chuckled lowly and shifted a little in the bed. I adjusted the pillow for him to help him get a little more comfortable.
“You and I both know how stubborn she could be, but you have to have patience with her. She’s going to need you to be strong and hold her up. It’s going to be hard for her, but she’s strong, and she will get through it. You all will. I know I’m not your father, but I wanted you to know that you made me proud, son. The way you cared for both of my kids over the years showed how good a person you are. I already told you that I trust you with my baby girl. You fuck her over, I’ll haunt you.” He laughed, then coughed a little.
“You don’t have to worry about that. I always loved you like you were my real father because you treated me the same way you treated your kids. You are part of the reason that I am half the man I am today. Nothing you did for me will ever go in vain. Thank you for loving me and teaching me how to be a man, especially in a world that tries to tear us down at every corner.” I patted his hand as his eyes closed. “Your baby girl will always be safe with me.”
Silence filled the room as I finally let out the tears I’d been holding since he told us his diagnosis.
A little while later, I left his place with a heavy heart. Knowing that Pops was literally on his deathbed made me go check on my mom. I talked to her every day, but since I’d been spending so much time with River, I hadn’t laid eyes on her.
When I got to my mom’s house, I let myself in, and she was in the kitchen. Her favorite tea kettle was on the stove, indicating she was in the process of making herself some tea.
“Can I get a cup?” I asked as I walked up to her and kissed her cheek.
“Of course you can. I’m surprised to see you. I thought you would be traveling or with River. How is she holding up?”
I grabbed two mugs from the cabinet, then the sugar container, and put them on the table.
Afterward, I grabbed the box of multiple kinds of teas from the counter, then sat down.
When the kettle whistled, my mom turned it off and carried it to the table. I had already put a tea bag in my cup.
“She’s not doing well at all, and that’s part of the reason why I am here,” I told her as I watched her pour the hot water into my cup, then did the same to hers.
She placed the kettle back on the stove, then sat across from me.
I added a couple of sugar cubes to my mug and stirred it.
“That’s to be expected. It’s a sad situation, and we know she’s a daddy’s girl. It has to be hard.”
“Yeah, and she’s mad at me right now because I suggested we tell her brother before it gets too late.”
I took a sip of my tea while my mother did the same thing. It had been a while since I sat with my mom and drank tea. Some days, we would drink tea and talk about life.
“I understand why you said it, but you also have to understand everything she is going through. I’m sure her brother’s feelings, and hell, maybe even yours, are the last thing she’s thinking about right now. Give her space, but also reassure her that you are there for her when she needs you. If it’s meant to be, then it will be when it’s time. She’s about to lose her father, but I know she cares about you just as much as you care abouther. I saw it in the way you two look at each other. It will work out.” She patted my hand. “Just continue to be her shoulder to lean on when she needs it.”
“Thanks, Momma.”
“Of course. I love you, Coye, and I know you will do the right thing for you and River. Hopefully, I get some grandbabies at some point.”
“Slow down, lady.”
My mother shrugged and continued to sip her tea. Babies weren’t in the near future, but I could definitely picture it happening one day for us.
I stayed at my mom’s house for a few hours. We watched a couple of movies and talked some more about River and other things. I made sure to take her trash out for her and made sure everything was good before I left.
