Page 38 of Revisions

“Why don’t you come slumming around 10?”

Paul looks confused. I forget not everyone understands my sense of humor.

“To the East Wing,” I explain. “My office isn’t an oval. I do have coffee,” I promise him. “And I’ll let you in on a secret.”

His ears perk.

“Jameson!” Candace calls out to me.”

“My coffee is better,” I tell Paul before jogging to catch up with Candace.

“Please tell me you didn’t scare Paul,” Candace says.

“Scare him? I invited him to go slumming.”

Candace shakes her head and laughs. “You are an architect, honey. If you really want an oval-shaped office, design one.”

Believe me, if they’d let me, I would.

I’m not sure if it’s the trip, the marathon Monopoly game, or the extra-large sundaes we ate, but neither Candace nor I seem to have much energy, and it’s only nine.

“I’m sorry to be the party pooper,” Candace says. “I think my tiredness found my exhaustion somewhere near the Boardwalk.”

I chuckle and pull Candace into my arms. “Don’t apologize.”

“I think tomorrow will be a late morning for me.”

“You need to get some sleep,” I tell her.

“I wish my mind would let me.”

“Candace? What haven’t you told me?”

“Jonathan called me early this morning.”

I take a deep breath and hold it.

“He’s hiring someone to stay with him full time, starting next week,” Candace says.

“Are things progressing?”

“I don’t know. He said he wasn't in any pain. He’s tired, Jameson. Marianne wanted him to stay with them. He doesn’t want the grandkids to see him sick.”

“I don’t blame him.”

“Neither do I. But you know our kids want to be there for him—with him—Marianne most of all.”

“I know, but I also understand how Jonathan feels. Marianne went through hell with Rick. Jonathan saw what that did to her.”

“Yes, but Marianne made it through that, Jameson—stronger.”

“Maybe. Watching her dad die is bound to bring up some serious baggage.”

Candace sighs. “I wish I knew what to do.”

“You can’t fix everything. You know that better than most people. Just be there for them.”

“Easier said than done.”

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