My father wiped off a small dab of shaving cream I’d missed by his ear.“I’ve had a rich life, and you were the best part.Before you, I had five sons.One died.Three of them grew up to be selfish.”He waved his hand.“I’ve tried to stay in touch, but they moved on with their lives and forgot me.”
“That’s not true.”
“You told them about today.Who came?Where are they?”He shaded his eyes and searched the yard.
I had only met my stepbrothers once.My father left them long after they were grown with their own families, but they didn’t have a close bond like we did.After hundreds of years apart, they simply didn’t know the man my father had become.
“You still have so much life left to live,” I reminded him.
“If you want to know what living is, it’s looking over the bow of a ship and watching the sun crest the ocean.It’s helping people.It’s finding love.It’s the way your baby looks up at you and smiles for the first time.It’s joy and adventure and hard work.Sitting in a bedroom isn’t life.I’m ready for my next adventure.”He held my hand tightly in his.“I’m not afraid; you are.It’s time for you to let me go.My tiger wants his final walk.”
“But he can’t hunt.”
“Then leave food offerings out.That’s what my ancestors did.I have to honor my animal and let him say goodbye to this world.We both know there’s more after this life.”
“Idon’t know that.We’ll never see each other again.”
He took another breath from his oxygen mask and dropped his hand in his lap.“Walk with me.”
When I helped him stand, I held him so tight that I never wanted to let go.
“Live a good life,” he said against my neck.“Help people.Be a good person and do great things.”
“I can’t promise we’ll have children, but I’ll teach the little ones here your language.”
He chuckled softly and leaned away.“Tak is already learning.Did you know that?He comes in every night and we have lessons.Fast learner.Yes, he is.”
I jerked my head back.“I didn’t know that.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know.And when I’m gone and others begin telling stories about me, you’ll learn new things.Now help me down these steps so I don’t tumble into the grass like a fool.That’s not how I want to make my grand exit,” he said on a laugh.
As we moved toward the steps, Tak bounded up and took my father’s other hand.
When he stepped onto the green grass, my dad gestured to the chicken.“Take that thing out of here or my tiger might have it for a snack.”He laughed at Lakota, who chased it in a circle before snatching it up.After coughing a few times, he struggled to catch his breath.
The next thing I knew, Lucian was there with the oxygen tank, giving my dad his final relief.
After a few deep breaths, my dad held on to me.“Bury me where you find me.Our tigers choose our final resting place.As it should be.”
Lucian scratched his jaw.“Just don’t go on the neighbor’s property.”
“Didn’t plan on walking that far.”My father pulled Lucian into a hug, and Lucian looked uncomfortable from the unexpected affection but gave in to it and hugged him back.“Take care of my little girl.I love you, son.”Then he turned to me once more.
Tears streamed down my face.“How will we know when you’re gone?I can’t just leave you out there.”
“I’ll let out a roar when the sun comes up and when it goes down.If you miss one, come find me.But it won’t be long.I can feel my people all around me.”
Tak joined us and put his hands on my father’s shoulders.“It was an honor having you stay with us.We’ll carry your memory—you won’t be forgotten.”
My dad smiled.“I know I won’t.I hung my picture in the hallway when you weren’t looking.”
Everyone chuckled through the awkward silence, but tears glittered in their eyes.They had all formed their own special bond with him.
I stepped into his embrace.
His grip tightened.“I will always love you.Always.Death won’t change that.You have to let me go in your heart,” he insisted.“A thousand years is more than enough time.”Then he told me he loved me in his language.
“I love you too.I love you forever.”
