Page 93 of Stick By Me
“Yes, I’m fine. I wasn’t affected and my girls are my biological children.” He raked his fingers through his short hair. “You don’t need to worry about it, either, since you’re not genetically related to your father.”
“Is this defect why Dad’s having heart problems in his early fifties?” And was it something that would end his life early? I wasn’t ready to ask the second question. I held tighter to Leo’s hand.
Leo offered an affirming glance.
“The doctors don’t know. It could be, but maybe it’s the fact that he doesn’t take care of himself and eats too much shit he shouldn’t. He’s had high cholesterol for years.” Tad dropped his arms to his sides. “I do, too. It runs in our family. But I take my medication and I’m way more active than your dad.”
With a nod, my heart about stopped. Shit, the man sitting across from me wasn’t blood related to me either. Or his daughters, my cousins. I parted my lips and stared at him.
“What?” Uncle Tad leaned forward.
“You’re not my real uncle.” I blinked a few times. “Allison and Sara are not my real cousins.”
“Real is not the term that’s used. Biological is.” He pursed his lips. “We’re all your real family, Archer. Always have been, always will.”
Uncle Tad must have spent some time thinking on this to be saying those words to me. I thought a moment. “So, Mom cheated on Dad. When did he find out?” I braced myself. It was time for the harder questions.
“When she got pregnant. She came clean with him.” Uncle Tad wrinkled his forehead. “They looked at it like a blessing indisguise. They’d wanted a child but were unable to have one unless they adopted. Richard was happy to let them raise you and he’d said he’d be there if they needed him.”
“Okay.” I slowly nodded. So, Coach Dupont wasn’t a complete ass. “Did Coach Dupont ever give them child support or anything?” I eyed my uncle. I wasn’t sure why I cared so much about it, but maybe it would make my biological father seem like a better person.
“Yes, he helped some when they needed it. Hockey isn’t exactly a cheap sport to play at the level you play at. Your mom didn’t make a ton of money being a teacher and the early days of your dad’s career weren’t very lucrative either.” Uncle Tad sucked in a deep breath. “Richard wanted to see you play hockey and so did your mother.”
“Holy shit.” A realization hit me. “Has Coach Dupont ever come to any of my games?” I mean, apparently at some point all three of my parents had gotten along. Had they come to a game together?
“I don’t know. You’d have to ask him that.” Biting at his lower lip, Uncle Tad peered at me. “Youaregoing to talk to him, right?”
I widened my eyes, a shock rushing through my chest. I had to hear Coach Dupont’s side of the story now. “Yeah, I guess so. Maybe when I get home from the holidays.” I needed to make sure Dad was okay before I tackled the issue with Coach Dupont.
“I think that’s a good idea, Archer. And you should talk to him in person.” Leo kissed the back of my hand.
“Your mother was a good woman, Archer. She always did what was best for you.” Uncle Tad softened his gaze as it met mine. “The whole cheating thing happened a long time ago and your parents were very much in love when she um, passed.” He sighed. “They got over it. Don’t let it change your view of her or their relationship.”
With a nod, I hung my head. “Okay.” I wouldn’t let thistarnish my image of Mom. She wasn’t here to defend herself and I’d never know why she did what she did.
Nurse Jada entered the room and clapped her hands together. “So, I have news on Sam. He’s doing well, and they expect to have him in recovery in a few hours, so hang tight.” She looked at each of us in turn. “Any questions?”
I shook my head. I didn’t even know what to ask and my brain was already swimming with the intense conversation we’d been having.
“How much longer will he be on a respirator?” Uncle Tad asked.
“We’re hoping to wean him off it in about twelve hours post-op.” Her gaze flicked between us again. “Anything else?”
“Not unless you’ve got something, Archer?” My uncle held out a hand to me.
“No, I’m good.” I leaned into Leo’s side. This was going to be a long day and tomorrow was Christmas. I usually did all my shopping my first day home, but this whole thing had thrown off my plans.
“Okay, let me know if something comes up and I’ll tell you when he’s in recovery.” She walked away.
“I didn’t have time to buy my Christmas presents.” I pressed my lips together.
“The only present we need is for you to be here.” Uncle Tad gave me a soft smile.
I picked at the hem of my sweater. “But the girls are twelve. They’ll want?—"
“They only want money. You know how they are.” With an eye roll, Uncle Tad said, “They’re going to hit me up for make-up and I’m going to say,no.” He scoffed.
“Archer, if you want, I can go out and get cards and things. Then you can stay with your dad.” Leo cupped my chin and pressed a short kiss on my lips. “I can go buy some things at the grocery store, too, and cook something nice for us. You need to eat.”
