“Well, young lady, I’m happy to say goodbye.” Nurse Rasheda pulls me in for a hug, giving my back a good pat.
“Maybe not for long,” I say while pulling back and winking at her. My dad rubs the back of his neck, and even though I can’t see it, I know he is blushing.
Rasheda giggles and bats her eyelashes.
“Let’s go.” She leads us down the hall, and other nurses come out from behind the desk. Callahan is there smiling, with a big gift bag in his hands. As soon as he sees me, he comes over and wraps me in a hug.
“I’m so proud of you, love.”
Tears prickle in the corners of my eyes.
“You ready?” Farrah asks me.
I squeeze her hand before I step up to the bell. Looking around at the people who love and support me, I lift my hand and proudly swing the rope. When the chime sings out, everyone cheers. It’s the sound of my victory, my freedom, and my strength. It’s the proof that I made it through this.
I know the doctor has to confirm I’m in remission, but this moment, and this tune, is enough for me to feel like I won.
That feeling doesn’t leave me as we settle in around the kitchen table. Callahan hands me my gift, and it’s more wigs, tickets to a ballet, and video game system money cards. He just shows me once again that he knows me so well. Now seeing him bond with my father just opens me back up to that part that’s just meant for him.
“I tell you, Darrel, you raised one hell of a woman,” Callahan.
“I can’t take all of the credit. Some of it she did on her own.”
I squeeze my dad’s hand.
“Well, you’ll have to tell me your secret for getting her to listen, because I can’t figure it out.”
Farrah and I both slap Callahan, just causing both of them to laugh.
“And what exactly am I supposed to listen to you about?”
“Well, maybe you would have let him replace Charlie sooner if you weren’t so stubborn,” my dad says.
“Yeah, sweetheart.” Callahan looks so happy that he has won my dad over. I can’t begrudge that because I’m happy, too.
“Not to suck up or anything, but I was Team Callahan since she went to Boston,” Farrah says.
“That’s because you knew we were going to be besties.” Callahan high-fives her.
“She’s actually my best friend, and this is my dad, and you are mine separately from them.” I grab his hand and relish the feel of it.
“The way we have been texting, it’s too late,” my dad says.
This is the first time that I’m finding out that Callahan and my dad text. This just makes it clear that there isn’t anyone in my life that he hasn’t made the effort to be close to. Callahan wiggles his eyebrows, and I know it’s his way of telling me that he is just getting to know his in-law. Something twists and lifts in my gut at the same time. I don’t know which feeling to lean into.
As we talk some more about the past year and each moment that got me to this place, my shoulders finally ease enough that the weight I’ve been carrying feels lighter. It almost makes it better when I’m in the bathroom spewing my guts.
Callahan and Farrah sit with me, and when it’s all said and done, we spend more time like a family gathered in my home. It’s so perfect that I try to get myself to promise to give in to this.
Chapter 28
Martha’sVineyardisonthe other side of the country, so we have to fly. Farrah offers to pay for me to fly first class, while Errol, Callahan and Charlie refuse to pay that much, so we end up separating. Rowan also won’t take the upgrade, so she is back there with them. Sahara, who I invited, is with her husband, who is also coming up front with us. I would love to see how the other group is fairing.
Meeting Sahara’s husband, Michael, at the airport was interesting. He clicked with Errol right away but was standoffish to the girls. I didn’t chalk it up to much until he opted to sleep the whole flight instead of talking to us.
It was good to get to know Sahara a little bit and what she does. Owning a company that goes into other companies and audits their diversity is badass. Writing a book about going from being homeless with her mom and sister to being a CEO is even more impressive. Finding out that her husband is an accountant for a small business adds a little context to their marriage. Most men can’t stand to not be the breadwinner.
“So, no kids?” Farrah asks, having no couth.
