Page 69 of Shame

I drop onto the couch to get comfortable.

“Do you want me to bring you anything? I can bring some food?”

“Food would be great.”

“After your brother called me last night, I’ve been—”

“Kolt called you?”

There’s a long pause.

“Yeah, he didn’t tell you?”

“Nah, he didn’t.”

“He called to tell me what happened last night. Wanted to make sure I knew you were okay.”

I smile, huffing out a laugh. Okay, so he’s already doing better. That’s good.

“I’m sorry you’ve been worrying. How’s your father? How are you?”

She sighs. “Just tired, as usual. Dad is good. He’s had a few good days.”

“I’m happy to hear it.”

Clanking of the kitchen sounds and I realize she’s at work. Totally forgot about that.

“I can run out after the breakfast rush and bring you some food.”

“Can’t wait to see you.”

I swear I hear her smile.

“Get some rest, Kaison. See you soon.”

When the call ends, I put my phone down and rest back. I doze off, knowing she’ll knock when she gets here, and wake me up.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cora

I’ve never been to Kaison’s house, but he told me where it was before. It’s not difficult to find since I see the bike out in the yard. I knock on the door, but he doesn’t answer. When I peek in through the window, I see him asleep. I try the door, and it’s unlocked, so I head in, leave the food on the counter and dig through his drawers for paper and a pen. I feel weird going through his things, but I’m not doing it for a bad reason. Just want to leave him a note.

Enjoy the food. Hope you feel better. Call me later.

It’s not that I’ve changed my mind about Kaison. I still don’t have time to deal with him, Dad, and my job, but he needs some help right now and I can help him while keeping boundaries.

When I leave, I make sure to lock the door, then head back to the diner to finish my shift.

By the end of it, I’m exhausted. Though my feet feel better, thanks to getting new shoes, my back isn’t any better and I wonder if I should go for a massage or to the chiropractor. I finish up everything I need to do at the diner, then head home.

Dad is in another great mood. We have a late lunch out in the yard at his request. Though he seems a little confused about some things, he’s better than he has been in a long time. He’s never been lucid for so long before. It worries me, but each time the fear crawls up my spine, I push it away. I want to enjoy this. There isn’t a hidden meaning behind it. It’s just part of the disease. Some days are bad, some horrible, some near unmanageable. But some are also good and others great. And as time goes on, those great ones are less and less, meaning I have to enjoy them when they’re here. I can’t let my stupid fears take away from this.

It’s early evening, and Dad and I are sitting on the porch swing, staring out at the dark road. The nurse left, so it’s just us.

He puts his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side. I sigh happily.

“Honey, I need to talk to you about something.”

---