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Nancy winked at me, and I nodded with a wry grin. I should have known my dad would show up here. Graham would have told him about my call, and he would immediately step into Super-Dad mode and arrive to save the day…or what he perceived as his son in need.

Nancy stepped aside, and Dad walked in, carrying a thermal bag. He shut the door and regarded me for a moment.

“Matthew,” he said simply.

“Dad.” I finished the last sentence on my chart and hit save, then stood. Dad lifted his arms, and without hesitation, I stepped into his warm, solid embrace. He always gave the best hugs. Known as a distant, shrewd businessman to the outside world, for those of us within his circle, he was warm, loving, and giving. He worshipped my mom and had been an outstanding father my entire life.

And he always came to see me if he knew I lost a patient. He was always there with his hug and shoulder—even if I didn’t want to talk about it, he showed up and we discussed a hundred and one other things.

But he was there.

He stepped back, holding my shoulders. “Mom made too much fried chicken yesterday. I came to share.”

“Sounds good.”

We headed downstairs to a small area behind the hospital. It was still early so there weren’t many around, and we sat at a picnic table that was weather-worn and covered in carved initials and gouges. But it was sturdy and always clean. It was one of the few spots we could hide from patients, take a few moments to calm down or grieve a loss. We all took turns keeping it clean.

Dad unpacked the food, handing me a box and a fork. I had to grin, lifting my eyebrow the same way he always did when calling someone out.

“Mom made the chicken last night?” I asked. “Feels rather warm.”

He lifted a shoulder. “You caught me.”

“Gramps call you?”

He nodded, munching on a drumstick. “Yep.” He glanced at me. “You okay?”

I took a bite of chicken, the skin crispy, the meat moist and still warm. Dad’s best friend’s wife, Dee, had taught all the women her recipe for fried chicken. It was the best. Mom swore it was the spicy marinade it was soaked in before cooking.

Whatever it was, it was a family favorite.

“I’m good. I’m glad I was with him. He was a good guy. Reminded me of Gramps. Had his own business. Married his sweetheart. Never had kids, though. Told me it was his biggest regret. His wife’s too. They tried for years.”

Dad nodded, looking thoughtful. “I can understand that. I can’t imagine my life without you kids in it.”

I chuckled. “Would you have thought that when you were younger?”

“No. Before I met your mom, I had no desire for any of it. A wife, kids, a house. Love changed that. My Katy changed everything.” He smiled, although his eyes were serious. “I am glad he got to know you a little, my boy. And I’m proud you went above and beyond for him. It shows your mother and I did everything right.” He paused. “Well, at least your mom. You have her tender heart.”

I was very much like my mom. But I had a lot of my father in me as well.

“I like to think I have the best of both of you,” I responded.

He looked pleased. “Thanks.”

We were quiet while we ate. Dad pulled out a couple of cold bottles of water, and we drank them with some cookies. He talked a bit about having lunch with Graham later that week, the plans for going to my sister’s wedding in Ontario. Due to my schedule, I wasn’t able to attend, but I planned on doing a Zoom with the happy couple on the day and visit when I could. Dad took a long swallow from his water. “You seem better than I expected.”

“I’m okay, Dad. I, ah, spent some time with a friend, and that really helped.”

“A friend?” he questioned. “Do I know this friend?”

I paused before taking a sip of water. “Not yet.”

He looked surprised. “Is this friend pretty?”

I chuckled. “She is. And amazing. She was exactly what I needed last night.”

Her dinner, her company, and the long, deep goodnight kiss we shared were more than perfect. The evening left me looking forward to the next one. I had sent her a text this morning on a fast break to thank her for her care and understanding the previous evening. It, and she, had been just what I needed.