Love Resolution

Under the glaring fluorescent lights in the hospital corridor, Avery let go of Marcus’ hand.

“You sure you don’t want me to go in with you?” Marcus asked.

“Yeah.” She swallowed. “I just want to get this over with.”

“Alright.” He brushed his lips across hers and headed to the waiting area. She watched him for a moment, took a deep steadying breath, straightened her spine, and knocked on the door to her father’s hospital room.

“Hey sis,” Justin said in a whisper as he opened the door. “He’s been sleeping.” Justin threaded his arm around her waist and pulled her forward.

“How is he?”

He looked awful, frail and pale against the white hospital sheets. The monitor beeped out the rhythm of his heartbeat. As she watched he shifted slightly, winced in discomfort, and opened his eyes.

Arthur focused on them. His lips lifted in an attempted smile that looked more like a grimace. “I’m sorry,” he began, fumbling for the control to raise the bed.

“Let me help,” Justin insisted, reaching for the panel. The bed rose up so Arthur could sit. “How’s that?”

“Good. Thank you.” Arthur studied Justin and Avery for a moment, and then looked embarrassed. “The doctor spoke to you then?”

“Yeah, Dad,” Justin replied. “Why didn’t you tell us you were sick?”

“I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me… I just…” His raspy voice stumbled to a stop. He glanced around the room. His eyes came to rest on a pitcher sitting on the counter.

“Do you need some water?” Avery asked hesitantly, following the direction of his gaze.

“Yes, please.”

Avery poured some water into a plastic cup, put a straw in it, and brought it over to him. Their hands brushed against one another as she passed it to him. Even just that incidental contact made her flinch. She felt jumpy and uncomfortable around him.

Arthur gave her a sad, knowing glance as he took a couple of small pained sips.

“I want to apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused.” His eyes filled and his voice was raw. “I thought I was doing ok, and I just wanted to see you both one more time before the end.” He sighed. “I didn’t think much beyond that.” He started coughing and his hand went to his throat.

“Dad, you hurting?” Justin asked.

Arthur closed his eyes and nodded.

“I’ll go get a nurse.” He patted his father’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”

Avery watched Justin go before turning back to her dad. Their eyes met and held.

“I’m sorry to be such a bother, Kat. Justin told me you had a big sponsor dinner tonight.”

She nodded.

“I hope I didn’t ruin it.”

“No.” She took a deep breath. “It was winding down.” She fiddled with the cuff on her blouse. She didn’t know who to be when she was around him. An awkward silence filled the room.

“You’ve grown into a beautiful woman. Just like your mom.”

Avery’s eyes watered with emotion. She looked away. “Thanks,” she muttered.

“I bet you’re excited about going out on this tour,” he offered.

She shrugged. She wasn’t buying it. “You don’t want to hear about my stuff. You’re sick, Arthur. You need to rest.”

“I care about everything that’s going on with you, Kat.” His eyes glistened. “I’ve missed out on so much already.”

“Well, that was your choice, wasn’t it?” she accused, peeling the lid back on her anger. “What do you really want from me?”

“I just want a chance.”

“A chance,” she scoffed. “A chance for what?”

“A chance to show you that I’ve changed. A chance to get to know you again. A chance to prove to you how sorry I am that I failed you as a father.”

“Did you really expect me to just say yes, to forget everything, and take you back with open arms just because you’re sick?”

“No. I didn’t expect that. Forgetting the past is something I don’t think either one of us can ever do. And no, I didn’t expect you to let me back into your life because I’m sick. I wasn’t even going to tell you. But I have to admit that if it’s pity that gets you to let me back into your life. I’ll take it. I’m desperate.”

“I’m sorry.” She stared at the floor. “I just can’t do that.”

He didn’t say anything. When she looked back up she saw that he was crying. “I understand,” he whispered. “Really I do.”

Shit. Her gaze fell to the floor. Twisting her hands together, her eyes filled, too.