"Because that inn means a lot to me, too. It belongs to him, and I want him to have it."
"And therealreason?"
"That is the real reason."
Howie holds my gaze for a moment. "If you say so."
And with that, he grabs a handful of nachos and turns the TV back on.
10
Courtland
"Hey," Dad says, walking into the den carrying two generous pours of his favorite whiskey.
"Thanks," I say, taking one from him and patting my stomach with my other hand. "Between you guys and the inn, I think I've gained about ten pounds since coming home."
"That's what Thanksgiving is for, right?" Dad just smiles and takes a sip. "It's just good to have you back. Even if you're not staying."
I broke the news about Grandpa Arnie's will to him, Joan, and the kids over lunch. He seemed to understand I'm getting married so I can keep the inn, but I get the sense Joan taking so long upstairs has more to do with her wanting to give us a chance to talk than it is about tucking the kids into bed.
"It's only six months. I'll be back in no time, and then I'll take a role at BWH."
Dad isn't just a neurosurgeon there, he's the best neurosurgeon there. It's always been his dream for us to work together.
His dream.
It's not that I'm opposed to the idea—I love Dad, and it would be nice to work at the same place—but I don't know if it's what I want right now.
He takes another sip. "You said the same thing about Africa."
"Did I?"
"Pretty much verbatim."
My eyes drift to the fire burning in the hearth. "Oh."
"Court, you realize you don't have to do any of this?"
My jaw tightens. "I'm keeping that inn, Dad. It's important to me."
"That's not what I was referring to." He smiles, and the glow of the firelight softens his features. "I mean you don't have to come back here and follow in my footsteps."
"What?"
"My father was a doctor, too. I understand the inherent pressure and expectations I've placed on you over the years. I've tried my best not to influence you too much and let you make your own decisions. But I haven't always succeeded. Joanie mentioned I’ve been kind of relentless about you taking a position at BWH. I'm sorry. I never meant to do that or make you feel like that's what you have to do."
"Oh."
He takes another sip and stares at the fire.
I do the same.
It's funny, I don't take after either one of my parents looks-wise, but I've always had an incredibly close bond with Dad. Mom was never truly with us, always lost in the worlds she was creating in her books.
Dad was my hero as a kid, and now that I'm grown, his halo hasn't diminished much. Sure, he can be a little short-tempered sometimes, and his decision to marry someone twenty-two years younger than him was a bit of a head scratcher, but all in all, he's still a great role model, and my love for him runs deep.
Heisthe reason why I became a doctor, and until my trip to Africa, I never questioned why I followed in his footsteps. But now I'm reevaluating all my life choices—professionalandpersonal.
