Page 61 of All the Beautiful Things
“No.” I plopped down onto the couch near him and grabbed my drink.
Exhaustion made my bones ache. Who knew sitting in a hospital, watching chemotherapy drugs pumped into your dad could make you feel like you’d run a marathon. Today I learned it did. I thought it was hell watching Melissa’s body go through all that, but watching it happen to my dad was worse.
He sighed, heavily and grumpily. “Hudson. I’m fine.”
“And I’m staying here tonight to ensure you stay fine.”
He’d insist on being alone, saying he was used to it. No way in hell was I leaving him alone over the next couple days when side effects could set in.
We were both stubborn to our bones, but he also wouldn’t show me if anything bothered him.
Which was why I’d already called in for back-up. I took the day off work so I could take Dad to his first appointment although I checked in periodically. With Brandon on his honeymoon and not set to return until next week, I’d called his assistant Sandra for a favor.
Dad might try to kick me out of his house, but there was no way he’d kick out Lilly. Especially once she brought us dinner. Since Lilly couldn’t drive, I’d called and asked Sandra to bring Lilly and food. I’d asked her to spend the night with me here tonight. I didn’t want to leave Dad alone, but I didn’t want to be alone either.
Lilly had accepted without a split second of thought even though she had more finals the next day. She’d probably spend most of the night studying, but I felt better having her close.
They were set to be here in any minute. I’d tried to give Dad time to get settled back at home, shower off the stench of the hospital and take a nap if needed to, but he’d only gone to his room and thrown on some sweatpants and a T-shirt and came back and collapsed onto the couch.
Knowing how Melissa handled it, he’d probably be fine tonight. It was tomorrow morning, and the next two or three days after it would hit. Although with Melissa’s first round she’d gone through it so easily we’d all hoped and believed her side effects would be less.
It was round three when things got real and downright ugly.
“I ordered Mazzoli’s for dinner,” I told Dad, ignoring his protests. He had the remote in his hand and already flipped on the local news but neither of us were paying attention.
Weather?Cold.
News?Politics.
Sports?Minor basketball and hockey teams, neither of which we followed.
“When do you need to go get it?”
“I don’t.”
I checked my phone. The last text came from Lilly twenty minutes ago. She said Sandra was leaving Mazzoli’s and they’d be here in fifteen.
The doorbell rang.
“Ah. Right on time,” I muttered and pushed off the couch.
“Who’s coming?”
“Lilly.” I grinned at him with a smirk.
He scowled at me. “Well played, son.”
“I know. And if you think of getting up, don’t. Lilly will fuss over you more than I’ve been doing.”
He grumbled something I was certain included a few vulgar words as I made my way to the door.
As expected, Lilly was there, three plastic sacks filled with Italian food, the best from the best locally-owned restaurant and holding all of Dad’s favorites.
“Hello ladies.” I stepped back so both of them could come in, but Sandra stayed on the front porch.
“Hey Hudson. I’m not staying, I just wanted to see how everything went today.”
“As good as expected.”
