He shrugs one shoulder and says, "He changed his mind for his kids."
I look at him, stunned, and I sit up straighter. "He told you that? Because of Ellie and me? He didn't mention that when we talked to him. Why wouldn't he say anything?"
"August, one day, when you have your own kids, you'll know why we do the things we do. Even when we are at our worst, we'll do what makes them happy. It's exactly what my mom did for my sisters and I." His face turns solemn. "She wanted to spend as much time as she could with us, see any milestone she could, even when she felt terrible.
At first, I felt guilty because I watched her in pain every day for so long. At one point, I thought it would be better if she just passed away. But she pushed through, and even though I was the youngest in the bunch, I did everything I could to make her comfortable until her very last breath."
We both turn toward Beau when we hear a sniffle come from his direction. Beau wipes away a tear with his arm and then takes another bite of his burger. "That was beautiful, Dad."
I don't know what to think, but I do know that all I want right now is to hug my dad and tell him I love him.
Everyone isat Honey Cakes planning the fundraiser for Dad. Hailey and Riley oversee the design for the booth and logo, Addie and James manage marketing, Rowan and Beau will be extra hands, Ellie and Emily will bake the goods for sale, and I come up with items from the store for people to bid on.
Ellie selling desserts will be a piece of cake, no pun intended. She lives for this kind of thing. I, on the other hand, haven't done anything like this before. But Riley helped me brainstorm ideas and I'm proud of what we've come up with.
Dad knows some of the best surfers out there. Growing up, he was part of surfing competitions where he met andbecame friends with surfers who ended up going pro. When I reached out to some of them and told them about Dad and what we're doing, they didn't hesitate to give up one of their boards and sign it.
All four were happy to donate to the cause on top of it.
Another bid is to take surfing lessons with me. Three days of lessons, and they get to pick their own surfboard to take home.
Rowan joined in, offering two people a chance to come to the brewery and learn how their own beer is made. Those winners will also have their beers sold at The Salty Dog for a limited time only.
Hopefully they're good.
After hearing about Rowan joining in, Beau thought it would be even better to add a bid for someone to get a hair makeover at his barber shop. Riley told Hailey she should offer a free tattoo to the highest bidder.
"This is awesome, you guys," Mom says to all of us.
Dad is resting at one of the tables, listening to everything we're planning to do. He nods when he agrees with something, while preserving his energy. He's wearing the green baseball cap, his old college sweatshirt, and sweatpants.
"Anything for you guys, Mrs. T," Beau says, slinging an arm around Mom’s shoulder.
Mom pats his hand, thanking him, and she goes to sit next to Dad. She rests her head on Dad's shoulder, her hand on his leg. He rests his head on top of hers, wrapping his arm around her as best he can.
I look at my parents and see how in love they are. Even cancer can't tear them apart.
"How are you doing?" Riley rubs my back, soothing me.
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and give her a kisson her forehead. After I told Ellie about us, I let Riley know. Then she decided to tell her sister, and well, it got around town quickly.
Nothing can be kept private around here.
"Better now that you're here." I pull her in close. My nose presses into her beautiful, soft hair, which smells like summertime, fresh air, and sea salt. "Have you heard anything from your mom?"
She shakes her head and pulls away from me. "I haven't."
It's been weeks since Riley's confrontation with her mom. She and Hailey have been spending time with their dad, and their relationship has been blooming. There are days Riley feels like she's on top of the world. Then there are days when it hits her that her mom won't try to change her ways. Even for her daughters.
Riley has taken steps to find a therapist after the conversation with her mom. It shook her up. She wants to grow and learn from it, instead of running away like before. I'm so proud of her. I'm proud of the strength and courage it took for her to realize that sometimes you need to cut someone out of your life, even if it's your own parent.
I turn to look at her, my hands roam down to her waist, and I hold on to her. The biker shorts she's wearing underneath a large T-shirt make me want to take her back to my place and throw her on the bed. Her curves under my hands pull this feral side out of me.
Then I remember we're in public and I slow myself down.
"I'm proud of you, Ry. You've come a long way from the girl I met that one summer."
Riley wraps her arms around my waist, tilting her headup. The way she looks at me pulls on my heartstrings, and I’m so lucky to have her back.
