“I don’t like that you have to do that,” Pa says gruffly.
“It’s my job.”
“I don’t like it.”
I shake my head. “It pays the bills,” I tell him. “And it also gives me a great discount, which is the only reason Tristan agreed to put you here in the first place.”
“It’s all about money,” he scoffs.
“Yeah, it is, in fact,” I snap harshly. “Now take your pills, or else I’m gonna ask Shane to come in here instead.”
Pa’s eyes go wide. Shane’s not exactly known for his gentle touch.
“Not Shane,” he whimpers.
“Then take them!”
With an angry grunt, he grabs the pills and pops them into his mouth. He swallows but I don’t completely trust him.
“Open up and let me see.”
He glares at me, lips clamped shut.
“Do it or Shane will be in here before you know it.”
He relents reluctantly and opens wide. To my surprise, he’s actually swallowed them. Not the first time we’ve done this song and dance, but rarely does it only take one round.
“Thank you,” I say with gratitude, bending down and kissing his head. “Now, I’ve got to go.”
“I hate this place,” Pa calls out again as I’m heading for the door.
I turn. “It’s beautiful here, Pa. It’s big. Clean. There’s a garden and a pond. You’ve got friends.”
“I’m too old for friends,” he says. “What I need now is family.”
I have to bite my tongue.
If only he’d felt that way when I was a kid.
Why is it that some men only remember they have families when it suits them?
I suppose it doesn’t matter. It’s best not to engage, anyway. It’s best not to care. To be vulnerable. To ask questions or expose your heart to more hurt.
I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.
“Goodnight, Pa,” I say softly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I want to go for a walk around the garden after breakfast,” he says.
“Sure. Sounds good.”
“And I don’t want anyone else joining in, either.”
I suppress a sigh. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Maybe you could speak to Tristan,” Da says suddenly, his breath catching a little as he tries floating the idea again. “See if he’s open to me moving back in with you two.”
“Pa…”