He nodded. “Is today a good day or a bad day?”
“It’s a good day because you’re here.”
Calvin chuckled. “Yeah, but will my old man know it’s me?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” She motioned down the hallway.
“You’re right.” He inhaled deeply. “Well, here goes nothing...”
As he walked down the hallway, anxiety rushed through him, making his palms sweat. It crushed his heart every time his father didn’t recognize him, which was most of the time. But when the old man did recognize him, Calvin wanted to absorb every second of his time with his father.
The door to his father’s room was open. Calvin peeked inside. The rooms in this facility were mini-apartments for the residents. There was a living room big enough for a loveseat, a recliner, and a television. The bedroom area was just across from that, with the bathroom only a few steps from the bed.
Calvin studied his father sitting on the recliner. The television was on and some gameshow was playing, but his father’s head was turned toward the window as the sun’s rays poured over his face. Tears clogged Calvin’s eyes and he blinked them away. It was difficult to see his father growing so old so quickly, but as he stared at his father, Calvin thought he was looking at a ninety-year-old man instead of a man who was in his early sixties.
His father leaned forward in his recliner and grasped hold of the nearby walker. He stood and turned, but when he noticed Calvin, he stopped. The old man’s eyes widened, and Calvin held his breath, wondering what the next few seconds would bring.
A smile touched his father’s face and the man nodded. “It’s about time you came to see me,” he said, moving toward Calvin.
Still not daring to get too excited, Calvin stepped inside the small apartment. He’d been mistaken for someone else before when his father hadthoughthe’d recognized Calvin.
“I’m sorry it’s taken so long. The firm is keeping me hopping.” He shrugged. “At least we know the investment we put into law school is finally paying off, right?”
His father stopped a few feet in front of Calvin and motioned his arms. “Come and give your father a hug.”
Happiness filled him as he hugged his father. At least the old man recognized him, even if he probably thought Calvin was one of the other sons. “I’ve missed you, Father.”
“And I’ve missed you, Cal.” He pulled away and pointed toward the sofa. “Should we sit and talk? I’m sure you have a lot to tell me.”
“Sure.” Calvin helped his father back to the recliner before taking the remote and turning off the television.
“So, what has my lawyer son been up to lately?”
Calvin chuckled and sat on the sofa. “Do you remember Max Kennedy?”
His father snorted and shook his head. “That old coot? Of course, I remember him. Max was a hard person to forget. He was almost as cunning as your old man.”
Calvin laughed. “Almost?”
He flipped a hand. “Maybe I taught him a thing or two.” He grinned. “So, what makes you want to talk about Max?”
“Max and his wife had one daughter, Rayne. About twenty years ago, you and Max argued over which of your children was the most obedient, and how far your kids would go for their inheritance.”
His father’s blank stare worried Calvin. Had his father slipped back in the shadows of his mind again? Holding his breath, he prayed that wasn’t the case right now.
Finally, the old man’s face relaxed and he chuckled. “I remember! In fact, didn’t Max and I write up some stupid contract...” He scratched his cheek.
“Yes, Father. You and Max added a clause to your wills wherein Rayne Kennedy and I had to get married and stay married for one year before we could get our inheritances.”
The old man tilted his head back and laughed. “I remember that. Oh, Cal,” he shook his head, “what fools we were back then.”
“I can’t argue that, but what I’m wondering about is why didn’t either of you take the clause out of your wills.”
“What?” He blinked as surprise washed over his face. “Are you telling me the contract is still good after all of these years?”
Nodding, Calvin held up his left hand, showing his father the ring. “Rayne and I married a little over three months ago.”
It took a few seconds for the information to sink into his father’s head. Finally, the man groaned and rubbed his forehead. “Are you kidding me? You married Max’s daughter?”
