Page 119 of All I Ask
Me:Maybe we can go to that old make-out spot and I can get frisky?
Teagan:I’m not sure because last I remember, you didn’t do the make-out spot.
I smile. All the kids went there and I never did. If I wanted to make out with a girl, it wasn’t going to be surrounded by ten other kids. But if that’s the only way I could’ve kissed Teagan, I would’ve been there with bells on.
Me:Maybe I didn’t have the right girl.
Teagan:And you do now?
Me:Damn right I do.
Teagan:I might just let you touch my boob for that one.
Teagan makes me feel like a teenage boy. I’m standing here, smiling as I look at the phone like I’m the luckiest bastard alive, and I am.
I put it down and head into the clinic. My father is putzing around, opening cabinets and looking in the wrong places.
“You okay, Dad?”
“Huh? Who’s there?”
Shit. He’s out of it. His eyes are glazed over and his hands are shaking. “It’s me—Derek. I asked if you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I can’t find my thing.”
“What thing?”
“The thing that I use for the cats when they have their babies.”
My father has had two pretty bad episodes in the last year. Once, my mother found him down by the beach where he had no recollection of the night. It was like he was in a trance. Then, two months ago, he woke up frantic. He couldn’t remember who my mother was and thought she was an intruder.
I’d never heard my mother so distraught. That’s when I knew I had to come home. My father can’t be working if he can’t remember who he is.
“I’ll help you look, Pop.”
He nods. “Did you know there’s a bunch of horses in the stalls?”
“We’re helping the rescue for a bit.”
“Oh.” I hate hearing the disappointment in his voice. He’s been a great father my entire life. I wanted to be like him, which I guess I’ve done my best to become. I’d like to think I’m honorable, caring, and I definitely share the same passion for animals, but he’s more than that. When I was young, he always made time for me. He was at my baseball games, even though he didn’t care for sports. I never had to wonder if he was going to show up for anything that mattered.
I’ve tried to be that kind of father for Everly, but I’m sure I’ve fallen short. Too many times I had an emergency that I had to go to as a young veterinarian. I was building a practice and sometimes that meant I had to sacrifice.
I regret that.
“You know, Pop?” I draw his attention as we keep looking for a thing which I have no idea which thing it is. “I could really use your advice.”
“Yeah? What about?”
“I like this girl,” I confess.
“You and Teagan, huh?”
I stop moving and watch him.
“What? You and that girl have been in love since you were kids, even if you were both too blind to see it.”
“You think so?”
