Page 4 of Big Easy
"Good morning to you too, Dad."
"Don't say good morning to me. Why haven't you returned my calls? You know the rules."
"Those are your rules, not mine. I'm twenty-five years old, Dad. I don't have to check in with you every second of the day."
"Stop being a smart ass. I don't check in on you every second of the day."
I laugh. "The dozen or so missed calls and numerous texts I have gotten from you since last night say differently. You're a helicopter dad. Admit it."
"I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Really? It's six in the morning, and I'll bet anything your shoes are on and your keys are in your hand because you were about to drive over here. Tell me I'm wrong, Dad." I can't hide the humor in my voice, and his long pause tells me I'm right. I left the nest three years ago and now share an apartment with my best friend, Maci, but my dad still worries. If he had his way, both Lilly and I would live at home forever.
"Whatever," he grumbles. "Anyway, back to my first question."
"Dad, I didn't get home until late last night. I'm beat and fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. I promise I didn't ignore your calls on purpose. I didn't even hear my phone until the alarm went off this morning."
"Rough day yesterday?" he asks.
My smile fades. "Yeah. A patient passed away. I stayed with the family after my shift was over to make sure they would be okay."
"I'm sorry to hear that, baby girl. I'm sure the family was thankful you were there to help them during that difficult time. Do you need to talk about it? I can still come over to your place."
This is one of the many reasons I love my dad. He is a doctor and understands how difficult my job can be. "I'm okay, Dad."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. But I'll see you tonight at dinner."
"Okay. I love you, Sutton."
"Love you too, Dad."
When I hang up with Dad, I shoot a quick text to my brother and then one to Lilly.
Me: Sorry he blew up your phone so early. He was only his usual self.
Lilly: The man is certifiable, but dammit, I love him for it.
Me: I'll see you tonight. Love you.
Lilly: Love you too.
Lilly is my twin and also my complete opposite. I'm quieter and more reserved, where Lilly is boisterous and an in-your-face kind of person. Growing up, I spent so much of my time with my nose stuck in a book, I had a hard time making friends, whereas Lilly was popular and made friends anywhere she went. People are drawn to her outgoing personality.
She never once made me feel like I was an outcast, though. My sister always had my back, and she made sure I was included in her circle. I remember one time in the ninth grade, I was sitting in the cafeteria at lunchtime, and, per usual, I was absorbed in whatever book I was reading. Then, out of nowhere, a guy who played for the football team and known as the school prankster came up behind me, snatched the book from my hands, and started teasing me. It just so happened that my sister and her group of friends had just walked into the cafeteria. Two seconds later, my sister was on the boy. And right there, in the middle of the lunchroom, in front of the entire school, my sister punched Joey Miller in the face, giving him a bloody nose. The little incident caused her to get suspended from school for two days. The joke was on the principal, though, because my dad ended up checking me out along with Lilly and took us to get ice-cream and then to the movies. Not that my parents condone fighting, but they believe in a family having each other's backs. Dad had a few colorful choice words for Joey Miller's father, who also had been at the school to pick up his son. Mr. Miller waslivid at the fact his big tough jock of a son had been beaten by a girl.
"Morning," my best friend, Maci, grumbles with a sleep-filled voice. I look over my shoulder as she walks into the kitchen and heads straight for the coffee.
"Good morning."
"What time did you get in last night?" Maci asks as she sits down across from me at the kitchen table.
"About ten o'clock."
"Wow. Why so late?"
"A patient passed away, and her daughter was not handling it well."
