Page 69 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings
“I don’t know. I have to find this doctor and see if these test results came in. You don’t have to stay. It’s all routine stuff.”
“Sol is with the kids. I can hang out for a minute and keep you company.”
“I just… I don’t know how long this is going to last and… I want to be here and talk to him, catch up with him until he falls asleep.”
“Do whatever you need to do,” he insisted.
“Are you sure? I just started this job. I need it to help take care of him?—”
“Cambrie… it’s cool.” Staten reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Take your time.” He gave me a gentle squeeze, and somehow it made me feel better.
“Okay. I’m going to find the doctor. I’ll be right back.” Smiling, I turned to go.
When I pulled into that parking lot tonight, I was expecting the worst, but somehow being able to talk to my daddy in the present was a gift I was so grateful for. I located his doctor and told him what was going on, so we traveled from the nurse’s station to his room together. Staten leaned against the wall outside of his room with his head down, skimming his phone.
“Friend of yours?” Dr. Adkins wondered.
“Yes. He’s just here for support.”
“Okay, let’s go talk to Mr. Rhodes.” Dr. Adkins pushed the door open to the room.
Daddy sat up in bed now, and he’d turned the TV on to the news. There was this distant glare in his eyes before they focused on me. Stomach tanking and chest tightening, I prepared myself for the worst. Had he really slipped off that fast?
“Daddy, what’s wrong?” I managed to choke.
“A whole year has passed. Donald Trump is president again. How the hell y’all let that happen?” he ranted, waving the remote at the screen.
“Oh my God.” Eyes rolling back in annoyance, there was no denying the relief that overshadowed it.
Both Staten and the doctor chuckled as we filled up the room. Staten secured the door and remained on post with hisarms across his broad chest. I loved how he was just a natural protector. He barely knew me but had shone up during a time I really needed a crutch.
“Mr. Rhodes, I’m your doctor here. I just want to go over a few things. Now that you’re lucid, we have the time to discuss treatment and other options for you during your stay. My job is to always make you as comfortable as possible.”
“Right now, I’m hungry. Brie, I need some of your potato salad and that fire-roasted chicken you be making.” Daddy rubbed his stomach. “Doc, shit so tender it falls off the bone.”
“Well, Mr. Rhodes, that is one of the things I would like to talk to you about. We need a meal plan for you. We need to get your cholesterol down as well as focus on your hypertension. So we have a few things for you to look over and sign. Your other tests all came back with no abnormalities. I truly think we need to start you on a regimen for walks and cardio exercises then monitor your stats from there. We’ve adjusted your medication as well. All of these things we want to incorporate into a regular schedule for you. Cambrie, we can set you up with the app so that you can also monitor him when you aren’t here. We want to make sure all of us are always on the same page.”
“Thank you. I love that idea. What do you say, Daddy?”
“I say I need to know what this diet regimen is. I ain’t no damn rabbit,” he grumbled, side-eyeing Dr. Adkins.
“Can you stop giving hell for once!” I yelled.
“You talking to me like you don’t even know me,” he huffed, shaking his head.
“Lord.” This man was going to drive me insane! “Daddy, we’re doing this. Sign the paper so I don’t have to deal with this when you’re not present, please?”
“Ain’t some big inheritance waiting for you when I go, Brie, so I hope you ain’t banking on that.” Daddy snatched the pen from Dr. Adkins, and I threw my head back.
“Having you lucid right now is a gift and a curse. You are a pain in the ass either way.” I punched his arm playfully, and he jotted his signature on a couple of documents.
“Can I get out of this bed and go for a walk? Get to know the place before I don’t know it,” he half-joked.
“Absolutely,” Dr. Adkins agreed with a chuckle. “You can take him back to his room when you’re done. I’ll come see you tomorrow and check on you, Mr. Rhodes.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He waved over his shoulders and kicked the covers off his legs.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed where his slippers waited, he eased them in one at a time. In just his sweats and a t-shirt, I saw that he had gained a bit of weight. I was so worried about making sure he was comfortable and giving him what he wanted that I had let him slip. I was a physical therapist and part nutritionist at times, so I made sure to eat right for the most part. I had to be more mindful of him and his health from now on. Staten opened the door for us, and I led my father into the hall with one arm looped through his.
