Page 71 of Ten Christmases Without You
Their father was pale, his mouth slightly open. A mix of confusion, winces of pain, and concern showed in his expression. He looked almost gray, his eyes glazed and unfocused. His gaze moved slowly over to the door and when Emmy and Madison stepped inside, a tiny sparkle shone in his eyes.
“I thought I was dying,” he said, his voice so raspy that he didn’t even sound like himself.
“You’re very much here.” Emmy went over and took his clammy hand. “I’m glad you’re alert.”
Madison stood next to her.
He swallowed, wincing again, and shifted uncomfortably. “I swear, I thought I saw your mom when I was out.”
“What was she doing?” Madison asked.
“She was singing in the kitchen, the way she used to do when she washed dishes. After dinner, when she was washing up, was my favorite time to run behind and put my arms around her.”
“I remember,” Emmy said. “You would squeeze her and make her laugh, and then you’d tickle her, but she couldn’t react because her hands were all sudsy.”
He attempted a smile, but it came out as a grimace. “When I saw her, she looked up and smiled, and my heart melted. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her smile.” His eyes glazed withemotion and he swallowed again. “She said... I’ll see you later. And then, I woke up.”
Emmy sent a silent prayer of thanks.
“But she said something else.” His eyelids closed as if they were getting heavy, but he was working to force himself to stay awake.
Emmy and Madison looked at each other and then leaned in.
“What did she say?” Emmy asked.
His eyes rolled back in his head, and he yawned. “She said, ‘You need to tell them.’”
“Tell us what, Dad?” Madison asked.
But he’d fallen asleep.
They quietly left him and stepped into the hallway.
“He’s doing okay,” the nurse said, patting Emmy on the shoulder. “It’s an absolute miracle.”
Emmy smiled. “Could he be loopy or not quite with it?”
“Absolutely,” the nurse replied. “But he’s showing strength. I’d stick around.”
Emmy and Madison went down to the lounge and bought a cup of juice before settling at a table for two.
“I wonder if he was just talking nonsense,” Madison said.
“I have no idea.” Emmy set her paper cup down and scooted the chair to the table. “It would be amazing if Mom was actually there in his dream. Do you think it’s possible?”
“Definitely, knowing Mom. If anyone could show up, it’s her.”
“If it was her, what do you think she wants Dad to tell us?”
“Oh, I doubt it’s anything earth-shattering. Probably that she loves us or something.”
“Yeah.”
Emmy tried to ignore the urgency she’d noted in his gaze as he fought sleep, and she couldn’t help but question—if his dream were true—what else did her mother want them to know?
CHAPTER THIRTY
Emmy’s dad was still asleep when the rest of the family arrived at the hospital, so Emmy decided to take a stroll by herself to clear her head. It had been a frenzied few days. She bundled up and, after promising Madison that she’d be okay on her own, made the ten-minute walk to the nearest coffee shop a few blocks down from the hospital.
