Dad reached up and cupped Mom’s face with his free hand. “You won’t be rid of me yet, Brenda. Forty-five years of marriage to you just isn’t enough.”
“I’m not worried,” she said serenely. “You’re too ornery for heaven, and the devil hasn’t figured out what to do with you yet.”
Dad let out a loud guffaw then pulled Mom into a hug. When he pulled back, he looked into my eyes and said, “Would everyone give me a few minutes alone with Elijah?”
“Sure,” Mom and Jack said at the same time. Mom rose from her chair and headed in our direction. She patted Jack’s arm and smiled reassuringly at him as she walked by. She slid her arms around my waist and hugged me before taking Maegan’s hand and leaving the room with everyone else.
I wasn’t sure how much time Dad had left before they were going to wheel him back, so I headed straight for the chair Mom vacated. Dad, never one to mince words, got straight to the point. “This might seem like I’m taking advantage of the situation, but I’d like for you to make me a promise.” I tensed because I knew where he was going. “Now, don’t do that, Elijah. You think you’re reading my mind, but you’re making assumptions instead. I can’t blame you, but I’m asking you to hear me out.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“I’m not asking you to pretend Jack didn’t do a terrible thing to you, Elijah. I’m only asking you to talk to him and allow him the opportunity to apologize. He has missed you every single day you’ve been gone, and the look I saw in your eyes a few minutes ago makes me think you’ve been missing him too.” I nodded because words weren’t possible right then. “I’m not saying the two of you could ever go back to the way things were, but I know they can be better than they are right now. Will you at least give him the chance to talk? I’m not asking for me; I’m not even asking for him; I’m asking for you, Son.”
I swallowed hard and took a shaky breath. “Yeah, Dad. I will do it for…all of us.”
“I’m proud of you, Elijah. And before you go making assumptions again, I’d be saying the same thing had you told me no just now.”
The curtain opened again, and a smiling nurse entered the room. “It’s time, Mr. Markham.”
“Okay. Let’s do this,” Dad said, sounding upbeat and confident. “I’ll see you in a few hours, Elijah.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, Son.”
I had to stop in the hallway to get my shit together before I returned to the waiting room. They all stood up when I walked in, and the range of emotions on their faces ran from encouragement to anxious. I went to my mother first and hugged her.
“He’s going to be fine. If I know him, he’s telling them to skip the anesthesia so he can supervise.” Mom giggled against my chest.
“Don’t clipthatartery, clipthisone,” Jack added, making Mom laugh harder.
“Make sure you wash those tools before you put them back,” Mom added.
Our laughter and ribbing caused the others in the waiting room to look at us with various reactions, but we didn’t pay them any mind. This was how Dad would want us to behave. I knew my mom wouldn’t be interested in eating in the cafeteria, but I thought she could use a nice cup of coffee or a hot chocolate.
“Chamomile tea sounds lovely,” she said after I offered to get her something to drink. “Do you think they have that?”
“I’ll track some down if they don’t.”
“Elijah, please don’t go to any trouble.”
“It’s no trouble.” I looked at my brother, and I mean really looked at him for the first time in ten years. I noticed the age lines around his eyes and mouth and the few gray strands in his black hair. He was different, yet his warm brown eyes were the same. It was the oddest feeling, realizing I hadn’t been around to see these changes slowly over time. It kind of felt like waking up after being in a coma for ten years, and the analogy wasn’t far off. I had existed during our ten years apart, but I hadn’t really lived. Not until I found Maegan. “Join me?” I asked him.
Jack quirked a brow in surprise but nodded. He kissed Daphne on the cheek and asked if she wanted anything. I turned my attention to my lady and didn’t hear Daphne’s response.
“What about you, Freckles? Can I bring you back anything?”
She raised up on her tiptoes and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “Just yourself.” Then she leaned toward my ear and whispered, “I’m so proud of you.”
I saw the same emotion echoed in Mom and Daphne’s expressions too before we left them sitting in the waiting room. I wasn’t sure what to say, or even if I should be the one to start the conversation, but I had asked him to come with me. I guess Jack accepted the invitation as the opening he was looking for, so he broke the silence by speaking first.
“Elijah, I’m not sure where to begin, so I’ll start with an apology.”
I held up my hand to stop him because my emotions suddenly felt too raw, and I didn’t want to have this conversation in front of a bunch of strangers. I saw the sign for the chapel and nodded my head for Jack to follow me inside.
“I’ve already asked God for his forgiveness,” Jack whispered when we walked inside the quiet chapel. “I can ask him again at the same time as asking for yours if it makes a difference.”
A soft chuckle rumbled from my chest which loosened some of the tension gripping me. “It’s a good start.” I sat down on the rear pew once I confirmed we were alone and slid down so Jack could join me. Rather than look at the altar, I turned and angled my body so I could see Jack’s face, and he did the same.
