She lets out a sigh and stands, wiping her hands on the back of her shorts and extending one hand to me.
I grab her hand, and she wraps her other around my wrist and tugs. She's done this since she was little, but then I started getting taller and stronger. She still never stopped doing it, even though it looks kind of funny now.
We stalk up the stairs. The sound of a wind chime greets us from down the porch. Ellie stops at the door, and I get the sense she doesn’t want to open it, so I do it for both of us.
"It's okay. Everything will be fine."
"How do you know?"
"Because no matter what happens, I'll be here to help. You aren't alone in this."
Mom and Dad are in their usual spots: their two chairs with a small circular table between them. Dad's wearing the baseball cap Ellie bought him for Father's Day. It’s green, with the words ‘Awesome like my daughter’ stitched in white.
Over the months, he's lost his hair because of his cancer treatment. Mom's been taking him outside to get fresh air and some sun, only to quickly realize he started to get a sunburn. She suggested he wear a hat whenever they stepped outside.
As his energy depletes, he's had some difficulty walking and has had to start using a cane. Ellie asked him if he'd like to be in a wheelchair when he walks down the aisle with her. It wasn't a question she wanted to ask, but she knew she had to.
Dad said he'd like to try to walk with her, that he’ll save up all his energy for the big day.
"Hey guys," Mom says.
"Hi, Mom," Ellie and I say in unison.
Our eyes meet Dad's. He puts down the book he's reading and takes off his glasses.
"Hey, you two. Thanks for coming by," he says in a cheerful tone.
"Now, what did you need to tell us?" Ellie sits on the couch, appearing calmer than she was outside the door.
"Is it bad news?" I ask. My leg starts bouncing the moment I sit down. I could stand and pace the room instead, but that would distract me from the conversation.
Mom shakes her head and says, "No, I think it's great news."
"I've decided to get the surgery," Dad blurts out, not wasting any more time.
"What!" Ellie’s hand rests on my knee, and she looks at me with wide eyes and parted lips. She starts to slap my knee. "August, did he say what I think he said?"
I turn my attention to Dad, almost at a loss for words. "What... made you change your mind?"
"A friend came by for a visit and spoke to me. After the conversation, I sat down and thought about what he said." He places his hand on his stomach.
Ellie covers her mouth, tears gathering in her eyes, and she lets out a small sob. "Really?"
"When is it happening? Did you talk to your doctor? Is Mom okay with this?" I throw out question after question.
"It's going to happen before the wedding," Mom adds, "but we're going to need a lot of help and a lot of patience during recovery."
Dad’s expression is neutral. He listens to Mom while looking at the two of us on the couch.
"Are you happy with this decision?" I can't help but ask. "It doesn't seem like this is what you want to do?"
"What gives you that impression?" Ellie asks.
"You don't seem excited, Dad.”
"It's hard to know how to feel about this. Everyone may look at this as a good thing, but I'm being realistic. Anything could happen, whether that be good or bad. I don't want to go in with my hopes up."
Ellie nods. "That's totally fair. Whatever you need, Rowan and I will help."
