Page 52 of Southern Comfort
“Wish you would have told me before. I would have helped.”
“How, Landon? You don’t live here. You have your own life and your sister does too. I wouldn’t want it any other way. That is how your mother and I raised you. To be independent. I’ll figure something out.”
“Well, the first change we need to aim for is getting you strong. You can do it, but you have to put in the effort. Nobody can do that for you.”
I see the tears gathering in his eyes. I step up the pep talk.
“Maybe we can do it together though. With Kim’s help I think it’ll happen. She can cook us healthy meals and we can try beingless grumpy with each other. Bottom line? We’ll try really hard not to be ourselves.”
That makes him chuckle through the tears that spill over. He wipes his cheek with the back of a hand.
“You are as big an asshole as I am. Just sometimes,” he adds.
“So I’ve heard. But Mom liked us, so we can’t be allthatbad.”
“True. I love you, son. Like she did.”
Oh brother. Now it is me battling tears. I push the feeling away and step on it as I go by.
“Yeah, me too. I’m going to call Kim, and I want you in on the conversation. From now onyouare going to make all the decisions, Dad. You aren’t some old ass fart having trouble thinking straight.”
“No, I am not,” he says, sounding as badass as he used to.
“Get in control of your life and make it right. I will help, and hopefully Kim will be onboard. Stacy can help too. She can be our consultant at least. The goodie packages she sends can be your rewards for sticking to the exercises.”
“Yeah. She’s a good girl. I know she wishes she could do more.”
“But you have to be willing to reclaim yourself. Otherwise it won’t work. You’ll end up losing a lot more than your mobility. Your independence, Mom's, and this place. No shit Dad, this is serious. Everything is on the line.”
Putting words to the reality of the situation scares him. It is all over his face.
“That isn’t going to happen. No way.”
“It could. If you lose Mom's, and have no income, you won’t be able to afford the property taxes or maintenance. Neither of your children have that kind of money to help. The house of cards will fall. It’s up to you.”
I grab my cell off the coffee table and tap on Kim’s name.
“I’m calling her.”
Three rings later her voice answers.
“Hello cowboy.”
“I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Thanks for the heads up. What’s happening there at Rancho Ronnie?”
“Dad and I have a proposition for you.”
“What sort of proposition?”
“It’s better if we tell you in person. Is there any chance you can come over?”
“Yeah, sure. You have me intrigued now.”
“Listen, I’ll make us dinner. Want to spend the night?”
She hesitates with the answer, but I know it is only because my father’s listening.
