Page 42 of The Life Experiment
‘Don’t get it twisted, love. A hard worker is a good thing to be. You learned it from me.’ David offered Layla a wink before moving to the kitchen doorway. ‘Biscuit?’
Layla hesitated. She knew a treat at this time of night would only spike her dad’s blood sugars, but as his eyes sparkled cheekily, Layla gave in.
‘Go on then,’ she replied.
Together, the pair entered the kitchen. As Layla turned on the light, David picked two biscuits from the tin. A bourbon for him, a chocolatedigestive for her. As he handed it over, Layla’s eyes prickled. Even after all this time, her dad still remembered her favourite snack.
‘Why do you work if it makes your pain worse?’ she asked after taking the first bite.
David blinked at the question. ‘What else am I going to do?’
‘I don’t know, Dad. Rest? Relax? Hang out with Mum? You don’t need to push yourself so hard. Sitting for so long is bad for you.’
‘Sitting for a long time is bad for anyone. How often do you leave your desk?’
Layla grinned at her dad’s playful barb. ‘Not often enough, but I’m here now. Here to ask why you aren’t retiring and putting your health first, anyway.’
As he polished off his biscuit, David looked past Layla as if searching for an answer on the wall behind her. ‘I don’t know, Layla. It doesn’t feel like it’s on the cards for me right now. All my life, I’ve worked. Or when I couldn’t work, I’ve wanted to. I’m a grafter. I always have been. Apart from after the accident, of course.’
‘We don’t really talk about it, do we?’ Layla nibbled her biscuit, watching her dad’s reaction.
‘What’s there to talk about? It wasn’t a good time in our lives.’
‘Still,’ Layla pressed, ‘it hit you more than anyone else.’
‘I don’t know about that, but it was tough,’ David admitted. ‘Suddenly, all the things I prided myself on were taken from me. I lost the best parts of myself, as well as parts I’d taken for granted. I couldn’t stand, couldn’t wash myself, couldn’t provide for my family. I couldn’t be the husband or dad I wanted to be. I couldn’t even like myself.’
‘Dad,’ Layla’s voice cracked.
David smiled gently. ‘Don’t be upset, Layla. I’m here now, aren’t I? I got better. I pushed through.’
‘But you shouldn’t have to work so hard, Dad. Every day doesn’t have to be a battle. You’ve fought for years, when most would have given up.’
David laughed. ‘You say that like it’s a bad thing.’
‘It’s not, but… don’t you ever get tired? Don’t you ever wonder if it’s worth it?’
David took a moment to respond, eying his daughter. ‘No one can tell you what is or isn’t worth it, kiddo. You’re the only one who can do that. And what I’m doing right now? Putting food on the table and making it so your mum isn’t carrying this household on her own? My body tells me that’s worth it.’
‘Well, I think getting an early night every now and then is worth it too.’
‘Maybe,’ David replied with a chuckle. ‘But I like my job, Layla. I really do. I watch life happen every day. I see first dates and breakups and people on their way to weddings and funerals. I’ve talked to doctors, professors, comedians, scientists, tourists from places I’ve only ever seen on TV. Do you know, I’ve even driven two people to hospital to give birth.’
‘I didn’t know that,’ Layla marvelled.
‘Well, now you do. Imagine that, eh? Somewhere out there, someone’s telling the story of how their child came into the world, and I’m the taxi driver who told them it would all be okay. That right there is a little moment of magic,’ David said, but when he saw Layla’s still-dubious expression, he softened. ‘I know you worry, love, but don’t. Driving gets me out there. It gives me stories. It makes me… well, it makes me feel like me again.’
There was something to her dad’s tone that twisted Layla’s steely resolve. Stepping towards him, she wrapped her arms around David’s neck, hugging him close. ‘I love you,’ she whispered.
‘Love you too, kiddo,’ David replied, squeezing Layla tight until she felt like she was five again and all was right with the world.
Layla could have stayed nestled in her dad’s arms forever. She was tempted to. The hug felt safe. Soul-reviving. But when David yawned, it was time for them to break apart.
Stretching, David stifled another yawn. ‘And with that, I think it’s time for bed.’
‘You go ahead,’ Layla replied. ‘I’ll lock up.’
Planting a kiss on his daughter’s cheek, David moved to leave, but at the kitchen door he stopped. ‘Layla?’
