“That would be me.”
“Come with me. Let’s step aside for a moment.”
One look at his serious expression and I just know—the next few minutes are going to impact the rest of my life.
1DONOVAN
Come on, old man—what’s the holdup?”
Dad curses in Polish, and I neatly dodge him when he tries to stomp on my foot. I guide him toward our front door at the pace of a sedated turtle.
He’s been a shadow of his former self since his heart attack and the surgery three weeks ago. He nearly died. Twice, technically. His heart stopped on him two separate times.
He’s drained and gaunt and struggling to catch his breath, but Lewis was right—he’s a warrior. He was only discharged from the hospital this morning, and I can’t wait to see him settle back into his usual routine. I don’t think I could take another day of seeing him trapped between those sterile white walls, wearing that hideous gown.
“It’s hot,” he grumbles as we stagger up the front steps.
“That’s weird, what with it being December, and all.”
“Quit treating me like some confused old man, okay?” He eyes me. “My heart gave out, not my brain. I know damn well it’s July.”
I shrug. “The doctor said I should keep you ‘stimulated.’?”
“You want stimulated? I’ll show you stimulated… Wait a second—what the hell is this ridiculous flower bed?” he squawks,gripping the railing. He shakes his head. “Who massacred my perfect re-creation of the California desert?”
Your wasteland, you mean?
“Oh, just a little someone called Mom,” I singsong, swinging open the door. “She’s back!”
“Oh God.” He lets out a groan. “It starts with the backyard; it ends with a full house makeover. Why is she here?”
“Because what you need right now is a little TLC from your own private nurse?”
“And because you’re a stubborn old goat who most certainly won’t be following the doctor’s orders!” Mom calls out from the kitchen. “Don’t think I forgot who I’m dealing with!”
She steps into the hallway, and I stifle a laugh as my dad sticks his tongue out at her. These two are insane. They’ve been divorced for three years now, but they get along great. Kind of. Let’s just say they’ve got their own vibe going on.
“Come on, Dad, let’s get you in your chair.”
“Ditching me already?”
“I haven’t seen my friends in, like, two weeks. So, yeah—I’m abandoning you.” I smile. “I’m pretty sure your wife can take it from here.”
He glares over my shoulder. “Ex-wife.”
Mom places a glass of water down on the coffee table. “Does he need a diaper change?”
“Mom, don’t start…”
“That evil woman wants me dead. You can’t leave me here like this, son!”
She peers at me. “And where exactly do you think you’re going, young man?”
I’m nearly twenty-two, I moved out when Dad and I first landed in town three years ago. Why’s she so interested in my plans, all of a sudden?
“Out with friends. Don’t wait up.”
Mom shakes her head. “Not tonight, you’re not!”
