Cosmic Dad Timing
People who have read my Epic Fantasy series may have noticed there's a lot of father-son conflict at its heart. I tried to create something beautiful and moving out of a lot of toxic, confusing things in my relationship with my dad, which ended mostly when I turned 18 and walked out of his house, and then completely when we both severed ties 10 years ago.
When I was writing the 6-page Afterword of the fourth and final book a few days ago, I wondered if I should even address this, and decided I would (very briefly). I just said that I'm not sure where my dad is now after these last 10 years, but I know if I ever see him again I'd try to give him a big hug.
Then yesterday I got a call from a social worker who said she was looking for any of my dad's next of kin, and that she tracked me down in the White Pages (how??). He's currently in the ICU, been in and out of the hospital while living in a nearby skilled nursing facility for what sounds like years. Very hard to get specific details--after all these months/years he's been with them, he never mentioned having just one son, or his three siblings.
She told me that a Dr. from the ICU would call me very soon, and what little information I could get from her made it sound like his time was running short. 2 hours later, after hearing nothing, I called the ICU and got through to the nurse treating him. Her opening line was, "He's more stable and clear now. He knows you're on the phone with me. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened between you two, but he doesn't want me to release any details."
I was able to ascertain that he's probably going to be well enough soon to return to the nursing facility where he's been living. Had to dig up enough of my voice to say I'd rush down there to see him and hug him, and that his whole family loves him. I would have sped down there and sat next to him in the hospital's worst chair all night, trying to make friends with him. Still will if he ever changes his mind. I'll call the ICU again today before he leaves and convey that same message.
When I was writing the 6-page Afterword of the fourth and final book a few days ago, I wondered if I should even address this, and decided I would (very briefly). I just said that I'm not sure where my dad is now after these last 10 years, but I know if I ever see him again I'd try to give him a big hug.
Then yesterday I got a call from a social worker who said she was looking for any of my dad's next of kin, and that she tracked me down in the White Pages (how??). He's currently in the ICU, been in and out of the hospital while living in a nearby skilled nursing facility for what sounds like years. Very hard to get specific details--after all these months/years he's been with them, he never mentioned having just one son, or his three siblings.
She told me that a Dr. from the ICU would call me very soon, and what little information I could get from her made it sound like his time was running short. 2 hours later, after hearing nothing, I called the ICU and got through to the nurse treating him. Her opening line was, "He's more stable and clear now. He knows you're on the phone with me. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened between you two, but he doesn't want me to release any details."
I was able to ascertain that he's probably going to be well enough soon to return to the nursing facility where he's been living. Had to dig up enough of my voice to say I'd rush down there to see him and hug him, and that his whole family loves him. I would have sped down there and sat next to him in the hospital's worst chair all night, trying to make friends with him. Still will if he ever changes his mind. I'll call the ICU again today before he leaves and convey that same message.
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