Norris answered the phone. His normally even demeanor was frantic. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”
Trey’s chest tightened. “What’s going on?”
“Your father is in the hospital.”
“What? Why?”
A long silence echoed over the line, until Norris cleared his throat. “Your father has cancer.”
He swallowed hard. His mom had died from cancer. He made a fist with his free hand, trying to control his runaway thoughts and assess the situation. “Okay, so is he in there getting tests? Treatment? What are we looking at?”
“Do you have anyone with you?” Norris asked, evading the question.
“I have a friend over, why?” A sinking feeling took over.
“You need to get to the hospital immediately, but it’s best if someone else drives you.”
He clenched his jaw, drew in a breath between his teeth. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Your father’s a very sick man. He doesn’t have much time left.”
“But I just talked to him a few days ago. We had lunch before I left for my trip.” Now that he thought about it, his dad hadn’t looked well in recent months. Trey had even commented on the fact, and his dad blew it off as too long since he’d had a vacation.
“The cancer was caught too late. Your father chose to neglect treatments that would only prolong the inevitable, choosing instead to live out his last months to his fullest. He’s been taking medication to keep him comfortable, but that’s it.”
Trey sank down into one of the patio chairs. This couldn’t be happening. “How much time?”
“It could be days. It could be weeks. Only God knows.” Norris’s own emotions overspilled. “Your father isn’t perfect, but he loves you, Trey. In his own way, he tried.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He’s a complicated man, and it’s not my place to answer.” A sorrowful sigh breathed over the phone. “He’s asking for you. Please come as soon as you can but have your friend drive. You shouldn’t be behind the wheel until you recover from the shock.”
“What hospital?”
“St. Francis.”
“I’ll leave soon.” He dropped the phone to the patio table without hitting the button to end the call.
Leaning over, he buried his head in his hands. This couldn’t be happening. It was a bad dream he’d wake up from. His dad was far from perfect, but he was still Dad. The only family he had.
He barely registered the door opening and Alexis coming out until she kneeled in front of him. Her delicate hand wrapped tenderly around his wrist. “Are you okay?”
“Dad is in the hospital. He’s dying of cancer.” Saying it took the breath from his lungs. “I didn’t know. How didn’t I know my own father was dying?”
She didn’t say anything. She simply stood and pulled him to his feet before wrapping her arms around him.
He wanted to stay in her arms forever. People always talked about finding comfort in the arms of those they loved. He’d never understood until now.
“I have no right to ask, especially considering what my father has done to you, but will you come to the hospital with me?” He inhaled, trying to catch his breath. “I can’t face this on my own.”
“You won’t be alone.” She stepped back, letting her hand linger on his arm. “I’ll be there as long as you need me.”
“Let me call my friend who’s watching Truffles and let him know. Then I need to call my assistant and have her clear my schedule. Then I need to-”
Alexis put a finger to his mouth. “Let’s get to the hospital and see your father. The rest can wait.”
He wanted to argue, explain that he needed his mind to stay busy or he’d crumple. But she was right. Seeing his dad was all that mattered. “Okay.”
