Is that a bad thing?
She wasn’t sure how to respond. Was it a bad thing? She was only going to be around for two months. If she got used to him, it wouldn’t make it easy when it was time to walk away. She thought carefully before she responded:
I hope not.
She didn’t say anything further. It wasn’t long before she was unable to fight her sleep any longer. The sleepless night before followed by the long day had caught up with her. She turned the television off and climbed into her bed. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Chapter 7
Andy tried to shake his nerves when he parked his truck in the parking lot of Shady Grove. He had never been a fan of nursing homes and visiting his dad in one still felt strange. His father had always been tough as nails and never needed anyone. To see him in such a state was difficult.
He never knew what kind of day his father would be having when he came to visit and that added to the difficulty. He felt guilty for not visiting more, but when he saw his father confused and without any recollection of his own son, it felt like knives stabbing him in his heart. Sure, his father was still alive, but he sometimes thought it might be easier if he had just slipped away into a final sleep without suffering.
“Good afternoon,” the receptionist said in greeting.
Andy nodded a hello before walking from the lobby toward his father’s room. The place smelled like a nursing home regardless of how clean it was. There was no covering up the smell of antiseptic and bodily fluids no matter how often things got cleaned.
He walked into the room to find Eldon Grant sitting in a chair reading a book. His white hair had been combed and he wore jeans and a blue and gray flannel shirt over his t-shirt. Andy figured the ability to focus on reading must be a sign he was having a good day. When the door clicked shut, his dad finally looked in his direction and smiled.
“Son. Good to see you.”
Andy’s shoulders sagged with relief. Today was a good day. He had hoped it would be. He needed it to be. Aside from reassuring his dad that his business out on the water was doing well, he intended to ask about what happened between him and Samira’s parents. He just had to figure out a way to ask without upsetting his father.
He sat in the chair across from his father and tried to think of a way to make conversation. They hadn’t seemed to have much in common even before he got sick. But Andy always had plenty of respect for his father and considered it an honor to learn the business, even if it wasn’t always what he had planned to do with his life. He understood that working on and surviving off the water was a way of life, even though he never thought he would end up taking over the business, especially so soon.
“You seem well. How do you feel?” Andy asked.
“I feel good. How’s the business?”
“Can’t complain. I fixed up all the pots and am ready for oyster season,” Andy answered.
“Oyster season?” his father looked confused.
“Yeah, Dad. It’s past Labor Day. Crab season is ‘bout over.”
Eldon nodded before turning his attention to the window. Andy stayed quiet for a while. It wasn’t unusual for their visits to go without much conversation. It wasn’t always easy to find things to say. Especially on the bad days.
“So business is good?” Eldon asked again. Andy hoped he wasn’t starting to lose him already.
“Yeah, business is good. Dad, I have a question. Mom wouldn’t really answer me.”
“Shoot.”
“Dad, what happened when Samira and I broke up?”
“What do you mean?” Eldon asked.
“What happened between you and her parents?”
“What? Why would you ask that?” His father looked agitated.
“She’s in town. Well, maybe not forever, but she’s here now, and we’ve talked a few times. So, what happened?”
“You know I get confused. I don’t know. How’s business?” Eldon asked once again.
“Dad, please? Please just tell me what happened.” Andy knew his father wasn’t actually confused.
“She’s just not good enough for you. She’s not right.”
