Page 84 of In the Dust

He wipes the tears from my eyes. “I need to talk to you.”

A doctor enters the room, staring at her clipboard. “Mr. Norwood, your cancer is—”

“Cancer?” I croak, interrupting her.

The doctor lifts her head and frowns. “I’m so sorry. I’ll give you two a moment.”

When she exits, I nearly pass out. “Oh, Grandpa.”

He brushes my hair with his fingers. “I’ve been wanting to tell you all summer.”

“What?” I lift up, a look of disbelief crossing my face. “You knew? This whole time?” My brain can’t wrap around the lies.

“Honey, I'm sorry, but I wanted one last summer with you. A normal summer with my Dixie May.”

I shake my head, not wanting to believe him. “You told me you fell! That you were hurt. It was just a fracture!”

He frowns, watching me unravel. “I am hurt, baby.”

“Chemo?”

He lifts my chin. “Why would I stay in the hospital on constant treatments that wore me down when I could have spent one last summer with my baby girl?”

“It could help you stay,” I cry.

He shakes his head. “Aside from the fire, tell me how this summer was for you.” His voice is weak, and I feel like I should have known all along. I thought his idleness was due to the injury, not because he had cancer.

A smile parts my lips. “It was amazing. I got to come home, spend time with you and Dad. Colton.”

“I want you to have your happy ending, Dixie.”

I look into his eyes. “What kind of happy ending do I have without you in it?”

He laughs; it’s earthy and full. “I’m an old man, and I’ve lived a beautiful life. Now I’ll get to be with Lilly and your momma.”

My chest heaves at the sound of my grandma’s name. “I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”

“Are you kidding me, Dix? You were the first Norwood to leave this state. I’m so proud of you for finding yourself in this big old world, and I’m even more proud of you for finding your way back home.”

A tear falls down his cheek, and I wipe it away. “I love you,” I tell him.

“I love you too, my sweet Dixie May.”

* * *

Colton and Harperwalk into the room a little while later with the doctor behind them. She goes through his home care, but as she does, a little piece of me dies inside.

Because I know we’re not bringing him home for healing.

We’re bringing him home to wait it out.

And he doesn't have much time.

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