“Until this evening,” Charlie said and took his leave.
Melody watched him go, then turned back to her father. “What do you want to talk to me about?”
Da smiled. “What would ya be wantin’ me to tell ya?”
She took the seat Charlie had vacated. “I want to know how you’re feeling and if something more is wrong than what you’re telling me. People keep saying you don’t look well or that they’re concerned about your health. I know you aren’t eating or sleeping well, so I figure something must be wrong.”
Her father nodded. “I’ve been meanin’ to find a good time for this discussion. I didn’t want to worry ya none nor give ya cause to be grievin’.”
Melody laced her fingers together and lowered her gaze. She already knew the news wasn’t going to be to her liking. She could sense it and had been afraid of knowing since people had first started mentioning her father’s condition.
“Go ahead then, Da. I want to know it all.”
“Me kidneys are not farin’ well. Doc says they haven’t been for some time. It’s the reason I’ve lost me appetite and make the frequent trips out in the night. It’s also causin’ me some pain.”
“Along with the back injury from when you fell?” she asked, not wanting him to continue but certain he must.
“There wasn’t any real injury from the fall. Nothing more than some pulled muscles, anyway. The fall wasn’t that far. No, most of it has been me kidneys.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me that? What can we do about it?”
“Well now, that’s the point to all of this. I know ya won’t want to be hearin’ this, but there’s nothin’ that can be done. Me kidneys aren’t good.”
“But surely there’s something someone can do. We don’t have much in the way of doctors here, but we could go to Denver. Or better yet take the train east to Chicago. There are some very good doctors there, I’m sure. Charlie could probably recommend someone who would know. A big-city doctor might know how to help you.” Melody was already thinking of how the railroad would give them free passage at least as far as Omaha. Maybe Charlie’s family could offer them guidance once they got to Chicago.
“No, the doc already checked into such things. I’m afraid there’s naught to be done.”
Melody wasn’t ready to accept that thought. “I’m sure someone, somewhere has better information regarding your problem, Da. We can’t just give up and not try. We just need to get to a bigger city.”
“Melody, me darlin’, no one wishes more than me that I could be givin’ ya more time. But the truth must be faced.”
She met his gaze. “The truth?”
He smiled wistfully. “None of us lives forever. I won’t be here much longer.”
“No!” She shook her head. “It can’t be that bad.”
“Aye, but it is.” He reached out and took hold of her arm. “Ya need to be strong, me darlin’ girl.”
Tears came against her will. Melody wiped them away withthe back of her sleeve, then took hold of Da’s hand. “This can’t be. I won’t let it be.” She drew his hand to her cheek. “You can’t leave me, Da.”
“Oh, me darlin’, I wish I didn’t have to. Ya know that to be the truth. Ya’ve been me pride and joy.” He paused, causing Melody to look at him once again.
“Yar mam used to ask me if I regretted not havin’ a son, and I told her I had no need of a son. I had yarself, and that was more than enough. Ya’ve always been a hundred times better than a son.”
“Da, you can’t leave me. Not yet.”
“I still want to see ya married. That desire hasn’t changed. Ya need someone to take care of ya.”
“No. I won’t be husband hunting while you’re so sick. Let’s work to get you well, and then we can worry about my need of a husband. I’m not convinced that there isn’t someone who can help us.”
“Melody.”
Her name was almost spoken like a command. She didn’t want to accept that there was no hope. She couldn’t. She prayed silently for God to intervene and give them answers. There had to be hope.
“Melody, look at me.”
She did as he bid. “I’ve had a good life, and ya’ve made me happy every day ya’ve been here. Don’t make this harder than it needs be.”
