Page 96 of Stick By Me

Snatching my hand, Leo strolled beside me down the walkway in a few inches of snow. It crunched under oursneakers. “Looks like they haven’t gotten out here to shovel yet.”

I glanced at the grey sky overhead, the clouds thick. Now, this was normal Minnesota weather. “Yeah, I suppose they have a skeleton crew since it’s Christmas Day.” We had yet to speak to the doctor, but nurse Jada had told us they were planning on weaning Dad off the ventilator after we left last night. Hopefully, they’d been successful.

After walking into the hospital, we made our way up to Dad’s floor and into his room.

Dad sat at a more upright angle and his blue eyes were bright. An oxygen tube was attached to his nose. “Archer,” he croaked and the edges of his lips curled.

“Dad, you’re awake.” My heart soared. We were over the worst of it. Leaving Leo, I jogged to him and took him in from head to toe. He still looked frail, but the swelling in his face was much less. Could I touch him?

He held up his hand. “Come here, son,” he said, his voice raspy.

Wrapping my hand in his, I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “How are you?” I glanced beside me as Leo stepped to the bed. I still had to formally introduce him.

“The doc says I’m making a stellar recovery.” He shook my hand. “The nurses had me get up and sit in a chair for a little bit, but my damn chest hurts.” He took quick breaths.

“Your voice…is your throat sore?” I knitted my brows. I should have been here when the doctor was here.

“Yeah, so I don’t want to talk too much.” He sighed. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I wrapped my arm around Leo, pulling him in next to me. “Dad, this is Leo, my boyfriend.”

Dad tilted his head over his pillow. “Pleased to meet you.” He breathed in deeply and winced. “I thought I’d dreamt you brought a boyfriend here.” He lifted the edge of his mouth.

“No, sir.” Leo patted Dad’s arm. “I’m real and I’m very happy to see you feeling better.” He gave Dad a soft grin.

“Don’t…” Dad coughed, then settled and drew a deep breath. “Don’t need to call me sir.” He tensed his mouth. “Sam.” He focused on Leo.

“Of course.” Leo sputtered, then turned around and held out the card. “We got you a little something,” he said. “Merry Christmas.”

Dad’s eyes grew glossy, and he nodded. “Read.” He pointed at the card.

Taking the card from Leo, I held it up. We’d just gotten here, and we were already wearing him out. “Dad, let’s let you rest.”

“But…” His gaze cut to mine, his forehead wrinkling.

I snuck a glance at Leo. Leo had gotten a card for me to give to Dad that I could write my own message in, and I’d written things about the current situation. I’d started processing everything from yesterday and wanted to heal our relationship. “Okay, fine.” I opened the card and read it. “Dad, Merry Christmas. You were always the man I looked up to and you still are. We might not be bonded by blood, but you will always be my father.” I glanced at him, and a deep ache crawled through my chest. How had things gotten so bad between us?

His eyes glistened in the low light over his bed.

Leo wound an arm around my shoulders.

I cleared my throat, the words on the card blurring. “I understand you better now and I hope we can find a way to mend our relationship. A father is the man who raises you, not the man who gives you life.” I set the card down and sniffled, then swiped the wetness from my eyes.

A tear meandered down the side of Dad’s face. “You know.”

“I do.” I edged into Leo’s side, his warmth soothing me. “I read your letter yesterday and spent the day with Uncle Tad. He answered all my questions.”

Dad nodded, then in a harsh whisper, he said, “He’s a saint, my brother.”

“I’m going to talk to Coach, uh, Richard when I get back to Arizona. Having him in my life won’t change anything. You’restill my dad. I want you to know that. You’re not losing me to him.” And hockey would become my life. I was determined now to make it work and play in the NHL. My gaze searched Dad’s face. “You okay?”

A grin teased his mouth and he nodded, then whispered, “It feels good to have it out in the open.”

“Love you, Dad.” I kissed his forehead.

“Love you, Archer,” he rasped.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

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