The voice in my head tells me to leave everyone behind and go away, but the responsible part of me fights it. My dad was loved by so many people. I just need to be strong for a few hours, and then they’ll all be gone.
I’m standing by the small tree Dad and I planted together and promptly let die when a black Mercedes stops right out front.
I recognize the man driving straight away. Mik’s dad’s driver, Mr. Stevens.
Because today couldn’t get any worse.
A moment later, the back passenger door opens, and Mr. Nilsson steps out.
I haven’t had any contact with him since that night four years ago when he sealed my fate and that of my dad. I should be thankful to him. After all, he bought me four whole extra years with my dad.
True to his word, Dad was on the list for a donor, and within a couple of months, he was scheduled for surgery. It seems money really can buy anything, even four years of someone’s life.
Like I said, I should be thankful, but when I look at Mikael Nilsson, Sr., all I have is resentment. I resent that with the same hand that he gave me my dad, he also took away my lifelong dream.
I can live with the consequences of my decision, but what hurts the most is losing Mik.
Mr. Nilsson stops a few steps away from me. Not too close. He wouldn’t want to catch the poor people’s cooties, right?
“Tyler. How are you?”
“Peachy.”How the fuck do you think I am, you heartless fuck?
“Good. This must be a difficult time for you, but I just came over to make sure you understand the terms of our contract.”
I ball my hands into fists at my sides.
“I haven’t broken a single clause in four years. Why would I do it now?”
A small lick of hope builds inside me, but I quash it down. Hope doesn’t live here anymore.
“Well, now that your dad is no longer around, you might be tempted to break the contract. You’re still young and inexperienced, so I won’t hold it against you.”
“You don’t need to worry.”
He narrows his eyes. “Are you sure? Maybe it’s a good time to reread the clauses. It would be a shame to escalate things when we’ve worked so well together over the last four years. And hasn’t Mik done well for himself?”
I refuse to acknowledge the mention of his son.
“Anyway, just so we’re clear, no contact with my son, or you’ll have to repay the full sum of money I gave you. Am I clear?”
“Loud. Now if you’ll excuse me.” I turn around and walk back to the house. As soon as I’m inside, someone pulls me to one side to tell me how much of a good friend my dad was, how he helped them when they were in rehab, how he could have gone back to his old ways, but he always put me first.
Mikael Nilsson, Sr. may have left or stayed longer, but I don’t care. I go upstairs to my room, and for the first time today, I allow fresh tears to run down my cheeks and blur my vision.
I already miss you so much, Dad.
18
TYLER
NOW
“Is the van loaded?”
“Sure is,” Milo says. “Want me to come with you?”
“Nah, I’m good. You go back to Sara. I saw her with Florrie at the grocery store the other day. I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”
