Page 18 of Love Under Construction

“Liv, I want you to know - your mother and I love you very much. That’s why we didn’t tell you.”

“Tell me what? About Jameson. It explains a lot, but Daddy, it’s not a big deal.” Except it is. There was a tiny piece of me that believed maybe Jamesonlikedme. Not out of some obligation to the people he loved as his family.

“No. Sweetheart. We always knew this day would come. When I’m gone, you’re going to need someone to look after you. Someone who knows you and cares about you for who you are. When you’re ready, it’s okay to let Jameson in. I asked Jameson to look after you because I always dreamed the two of you would end up together. I knew he was a good kid and that he’d make sure you were okay, long after I was gone.”

A tear rolls down my face. My dad must really be slipping away, losing his mind. Let Jameson in? What in the world is that supposed to mean?

“I always hoped I’d make it long enough to meet my first grandchild. To see you get married. It’s why I’ve fought this for so long — so many years. I’m tired now. And I know I won’t get to here on earth, but one day, I want you to do all of those things. And quit letting your mother and I hold you back.”

Marriage? Babies?

“Daddy, I’m only twenty-six, I have plenty of time for that. I have career goals I want to check off first. No one is holding us back.”

Before my father can say more, my mom steps in and clears her throat. “Olivia, there’s someone at the door to see you. Marvin, I think it’s time you rest.”

It’s clear with both want to protest, to continue this conversation but it doesn’t look like that will be happening right now. Not with the warning glare my mother is giving us both.

I gently kiss my father’s forehead and smile at him. “We’ll talk later. You rest,” I give him a wink.

He gives me a weak smile back, and I excuse myself to see who’s waiting at the door.

When I open the door that my mother so rudely closed on our guest, I come face to face withhim,and Peaches. In an instant, I fall to my knees and wrap my arms around my girl, sobbing into her fur as she excitedly wags her tail and tries to lick me. Even though my heart is breaking, it’s so very full with my furbaby here now.

Gathering my composure, I stand and pull the front door shut before taking Peaches’ leash from Jameson. I fight back more tears as we walk into the grass with my dog who excited rolls around as if she’s happy to be back too.

I almost forget that I’m mad at him for the truth my father just revealed.

“What are you doing back here?”

He gives me a casual shrug. “I rearranged some things and thought you could use a friend or two. Plus, I think she was starting to miss you.”

“Or did my dad call and tell you to bring her?” I snap before my filter kicks in.

“Why is it so hard for you to believe that Iwantto do nice things for you? Why do you always assume I have some ulterior motive or something?” He replies calmly, though I can see the frustration brewing in his eyes.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because my dad just told me how he’s basically put you up to be my protector and we need to get married and have babies.”

Jameson coughs and laughs at the same time, making me want to punch him. “Listen, yes, a long time ago our parents drilled it into my head that I was supposed to look out for you. And I did. That’s not why I’m here now though. That’s not why I came to New York either.”

“Really? You’re telling me that the man lying inside on his death bed is a liar? The way he tells it, he set up the whole thing in New York.”

He shakes his head in disbelief. “I’m not calling him a liar. I had no idea that he was behind the whole thing, either. There’s no way he was totally in control. I mean, how would he have worked out living arrangements with your neighbor? You think he’s that good that he knew I had an old college buddy in New York, who just happened to be looking for a roommate -andlived in your building. Even that’s far fetched.”

“He got you the job there. He said he put it all together. It was ‘his fault,’” I quote. “That you ended up in New York.”

“Liv, I’m telling you, if he did set anything up, I had absolutely no idea. None at all. I was making my plans to get to you.”

I want to question him. To ask why he felt like he needed to get to me but I’m interrupted by my panic-stricken mother yelling at the front door. Jameson and I both rush in the house with Peaches eagerly trailing behind, in spite of my mother’s protests. My dad is laying on the floor beside his hospital bed, struggling to get up.

“Whoa, hey Mr. H. Hang on there one second, let me help.” Jameson quickly kneels beside my dad. “Are you okay? Does anything hurt?”

“Mom you need to call 911 or hospice back here, one of the two. How did this happen?” I eye up my mom who seems to is frozen in place. “Mom,” I snap my fingers. “Call someone.”

She glances at me then runs for the phone. “Right.”

Somehow Jameson is able to lift my dad and get him back in bed, but it’s clear Dad’s in pain.

“It’s hell getting old,” My dad coughs out struggling to catch his breath. “Just trying to take a leak and fell flat on my ass.”

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