Page 73 of Shame

“I just don’t know what to do, Kaison.”

“I wish I could give you an answer, but this is your call. It’s your dad, your life.”

“What would you do?” she asks, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes.

I grit my teeth. “Can’t really help you with that after what I just found out about my father.”

She frowns, and I lean in to kiss her forehead. “We’ll save that for another time.”

Not only because I don’t want to bring negativity into this room, but I’m not even sure I should tell her. This isn’t something I should tell people. It’s my brother’s business. But I could tell her something without telling all of it. I need someone to talk to about this, too. Kolton won’t allow me to, and I’m sure it’s something that I’ll need to let out eventually.

“Honestly, not sure I’ll have much of a choice. We don’t have anywhere to go,” she says.

“You can stay with me.”

She shakes her head. “No, I can’t do that. Dad is…” She sighs. “He’s just too much.”

“He isnottoo much, Cora. He’s your father.”

There’s a knock at the door and we both look up. A young male doctor walks in.

“Told you he was a fighter,” the guy says as he walks in. Cora smiles, but it isn’t very happy. “I just wanted to let you know that I found your father a room at a nursing facility, if that’s what you decide.”

“You did? How? I thought they took months to get into.”

He smiles. “Sometimes they do, but I have a brother who happens to be the director of one and I called in a favor.”

“Why would you do that?” Cora asks.

Yeah. Why would he do that?

“As a doctor, it isn’t only my job to treat patients. I need to look out for their family, too. I know this isn’t an easy situation,but Cora, this is getting dangerous and I think it’s time you really consider this. I wanted to make sure the option was there, right now, if you decided on it.”

“I don’t know what to say…”

I take her hand, kissing the back of it.

“How long does she have to decide?” I ask.

“Best I can do is three days,” he says.

Cora doesn’t react to that, and I can’t tell if it’s because it’s good or not.

“Thank you,” she says. “I will think about it and let you know.”

He walks in further, handing her a card. “Call me with your answer, either way.”

“How quickly would he move in?” she asks.

“We could set it up so he goes right from the hospital there. It would make the transition much easier.”

She nods again, putting the card down on the table.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“Of course.” He leaves the room, and I keep my eyes on Cora.

“What are you thinking?” I ask her.

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