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“You made it.” Mom takes one look at me and, with a hand over her mouth, begins to cry.
“Your mom is smokin’ hot,” he whispers into my ear, too quiet for it to carry over the sportscaster’s droning voice. “That’s because Simon didn’t hide all her makeup like some psycho,” I whisper back.
Probably because this is the first time I’ve ever seen my parents in the same room, that I can remember, and it’s on my father’s deathbed.
And yet we’re all going to have to play on with a big missing piece, I accept, as a painful ball swells in my throat.
Dad passed away five nights ago, surrounded by his loved ones, just like all those newspaper obituaries read. He died as he lived. Quietly, with a resigned sigh and a smile of acceptance.
“He kept everything that had to do with you, Mom.” Including his love.
My father would never have asked her to come, but I sensed the utter peace around him as she sat in that chair next to him those last few days, holding his feeble hand.
I caught the smile that curled his lips as she laughed out loud over something on the TV. And I saw the tear that rolled out from the corner of his eye, as she leaned forward and kissed him one last time.
That’s a lie. I mean, I do want to help Agnes, but that’s not why I’m lingering. And the look Mom gives me says she damn well knows it.
“I did warn you about falling in love with one of those sky cowboys, didn’t I?”
Because I’m not going home with one giant hole in my heart. I’m going home with two.
“You’ve got a home here, for as long as you want it.”
“So then maybe after.” “Maybe.”
“As long as I’m flying my planes and you’re with me, I’ll be happy. But this going-our-separate-ways bullshit? This isn’t working for me, Calla.”
“And I’m not just gonna give up without a fight and spend the rest of my life pining over you. That’s where Wren and I are not alike.”
This is the second time my life has been turned upside down on this front porch. Only this time, I think I already know what my answer will be. Because I’d do anything to try and make it work with him.
