I dropped Everly off at Teagan’s earlier today and I guess they got tied up. “Okay, I totally understand, school comes first.”
“Thanks.”
I hang up and text Teagan.
Me: Things okay over at your house?
Teagan: Girls have been doing their social media thing, no screaming so I take that as a good sign. They said they need to work on it and then take other photos for this account thing.
I knew that’s what they were doing. This was an excuse to talk to her today.
Me: I want to see you.
This is really the point. It’s been twenty-four hours and I fucking miss her. My entire body yearns for her.
Teagan: You just saw me when you dropped off Everly.
Me: Not the same. I couldn’t even kiss you, touch you, be near you other than the few seconds we had.
Everly was not having it. She stood at Teagan’s door, waiting until I left to go inside. It’s hard because Chastity isn’t the issue, it’s my kid. She’s still upset about her mother and then she’s got these delusions about Teagan. I worry how she’d react if I did get Teagan to agree to move into that house with us.
It won’t go over well, but I’m also not willing to wait until Everly is ready, considering I don’t think she ever will be.
Teagan: I miss you too. I’m going to drive Everly home and maybe you can sneak out for a kiss?
Me: Maybe we can go to that old make-out spot and I can get frisky?
Teagan: I’m not sure because last I remember, you didn’t do the make-out spot.
I smile. All the kids went there and I never did. If I wanted to make out with a girl, it wasn’t going to be surrounded by ten other kids. But if that’s the only way I could’ve kissed Teagan, I would’ve been there with bells on.
Me: Maybe I didn’t have the right girl.
Teagan: And you do now?
Me: Damn right I do.
Teagan: I might just let you touch my boob for that one.
Teagan makes me feel like a teenage boy. I’m standing here, smiling as I look at the phone like I’m the luckiest bastard alive, and I am.
I put it down and head into the clinic. My father is putzing around, opening cabinets and looking in the wrong places.
“You okay, Dad?”
“Huh? Who’s there?”
Shit. He’s out of it. His eyes are glazed over and his hands are shaking. “It’s me—Derek. I asked if you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I can’t find my thing.”
“What thing?”
“The thing that I use for the cats when they have their babies.”
My father has had two pretty bad episodes in the last year. Once, my mother found him down by the beach where he had no recollection of the night. It was like he was in a trance. Then, two months ago, he woke up frantic. He couldn’t remember who my mother was and thought she was an intruder.
I’d never heard my mother so distraught. That’s when I knew I had to come home. My father can’t be working if he can’t remember who he is.
“I’ll help you look, Pop.”
He nods. “Did you know there’s a bunch of horses in the stalls?”
“We’re helping the rescue for a bit.”
“Oh.” I hate hearing the disappointment in his voice. He’s been a great father my entire life. I wanted to be like him, which I guess I’ve done my best to become. I’d like to think I’m honorable, caring, and I definitely share the same passion for animals, but he’s more than that. When I was young, he always made time for me. He was at my baseball games, even though he didn’t care for sports. I never had to wonder if he was going to show up for anything that mattered.
I’ve tried to be that kind of father for Everly, but I’m sure I’ve fallen short. Too many times I had an emergency that I had to go to as a young veterinarian. I was building a practice and sometimes that meant I had to sacrifice.
I regret that.
“You know, Pop?” I draw his attention as we keep looking for a thing which I have no idea which thing it is. “I could really use your advice.”
“Yeah? What about?”
“I like this girl,” I confess.
“You and Teagan, huh?”
I stop moving and watch him.
“What? You and that girl have been in love since you were kids, even if you were both too blind to see it.”
“You think so?”
He smiles a little. “I never understood why you married Meghan anyway. She wasn’t the girl for you, son.”
I have no idea if he’s fully back with me or he’s still confused. “Do you think Teagan is?”
“Only you can answer that.”
“Evasive as ever, Pop.”
“A man has to make his own choices.”
I’ve made plenty that I wish I’d chosen differently.
“You’re a smart man, anyone tell you that?”
My father walks closer, and touches my shoulder. “I married a smart woman.”
And there he is, the man who loves my mother more than anything. “Mom is pretty special.”
His head shakes as he looks down. “I forget sometimes.” His voice is full of shame. “I don’t remember things, important things, and I don’t want to forget her.”
A part of my heart breaks. No one in this world deserves this, but least of all him. He’s been the pillar of strength and someone to admire. My mother and father have loved each other more than anything.
I grip his hand, waiting for his eyes to meet mine. “She knows it’s not you. Mom loves you and remembers enough for the both of you.”
A tear forms in his green eyes, but he wipes it away. “Marry that girl, Derek. Marry the girl who you’d cry over if you forgot her. Marry the girl who even when your brain can’t remember, your heart does.”
“That’s my plan, Pop. I just
