Unwanted Fate (15 page)

“You too,” I say with a smile. I fill my cup and head to my office.

Looking at the time, I see it’s time to call Kristin. I take a deep breath, let it out before picking up the phone, and call the number listed in the email. I hope I can give her the information she needs.

After pressing the last number, the phone rings and rings. I guess I’ve missed her and—

“Good morning, Patrick Matheson’s office, Kristin speaking.”

“Good morning, Kristin. This is Emily Janes. I’m calling you in regards to the email you sent.”

“Hello, Ms. Janes. It’s nice to put a voice with the name. I’ve heard a lot about you…and the center.” Oh my. I wonder what Patrick as told her.

“All good, I hope?”

“Of course, dear. Patrick tells me you’re doing some astonishing work with the community. What I’m calling about is Patrick left out a few things that I need.”

“Alright.”

“First, how many families monthly do you see on an average for assistance?”

“For monetary assistance for things like rent and electricity, thirty to forty, and for the food pantry, the average is around fifty. However, that’s slowly increasing. I’m projecting sixty to sixty five families. Or two hundred people to two hundred sixty.”

“That’s quite a jump for an improving economy.”

“I know,” I say sarcastically.

“Next question, do you have volunteers at the center or a community day of service?”

“Yes, and yes. We collaborate with the University of Nevada Reno and AmeriCorps. The college students spend hours here working with the kids or helping around the center for a stipend to use for college expenses. In the past, companies have come in and spent the day organizing the food pantry and restocking it.”

“Sounds like your center is busy.”

“It is, but we service a lot of people, especially at risk children. I want to make sure I do my part to try to help them be successful when they grow up.”

“I think you’re doing an excellent job.”

“Thank you very much. That means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome. I think I have everything I need now. I’ll get this finished and send it to the president and the board today. You should hear from Patrick or myself in a week, two weeks at the most.”

“Great. I appreciate it. Thank you so much.”

“Not a problem. Have a good rest of your day.”

“You too, Kristin.” I hang up, wishing I had asked her if Patrick was in. Too late now.

I check my calendar and I have an appointment in fifteen minutes, so I email Kelly about my call and get organized for my appointment. Looks like I’m booked until lunch and the morning should go by quickly.

After two appointments, my third appointment is either running late or is a no show. I wish people would at least call if they can’t make it on time, I could have possibly helped someone else. I don’t want to leave in case they do show-up, but I really don’t have much to do.

I could text Patrick to see when is free to talk? Yes!

M
E:
Hey. It’s Emily. Are you free to talk?

I’m sure he knows who it is, smooth, Ems, real smooth. I wait a few minutes and no reply. I guess he’s busy so I place my phone down. A few minutes later, my phone buzzes with a new message.

P
ATRICK:
Hey, anytime.

M
E:
Now?

P
ATRICK:
Yes, now would be included in ‘anytime’.

M
E:
Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.

P
ATRICK:
Are you going to call me?

M
E:
Maybe.

I press the call button that’s next to Patrick’s name and the phone rings once.

“I thought you were kidding or pulling out one of your jokes.”

I chuckle. “No, but if you need one I’m sure I can come up with something.”

“I’m good right now, thanks though. So…you wanted to talk?”

“Yep. Actually, I want to ask you something.”

“Alright.”

“I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner.” Silence greets my ears; I can’t hear anything from Patrick. “Um, are you there?” There’s more silence and my stomach flip-flops. Did I misread his cues?

“Y
ou want to go out with me?” So I didn’t imagine the effect I had on her.

“Yes, or I wouldn’t have asked.” Sassy. I really like this.

“When?” I ask, pulling up my calendar on my computer.

“Whenever works for you, as my schedule is open.” I think I can change that.

“How about tomorrow night?” I wish it could be tonight, but I told Addison I would be with her when they transfer Dad to hospice. He’s holding his own after they removed him from life support.

“That works.” There’s a hint of excitement in her voice.

“Text me your address and I’ll pick you up. Even though you asked me, I’ll pick up the tab.”

“Fine. You pick the place too.” I laugh at her exasperation.

“If anything would happen to change on my end, I’ll let you know.”

“Likewise. Have a good rest of your day, Patrick.”

“You too, Emily.”

I get to work on the month end numbers. Kristin told me she talked to Emily this morning and really thought she sounded like a very sweet woman, and I couldn’t agree more. I think about what sounds good for dinner, and get lost in planning my date with Emily.

Four thirty rolls around and I’m dreading leaving the office. I know I need to be strong for Addison and get Dad’s estate in order. The finalization of paperwork won’t happen until he passes away, but we know it’s inevitable. Not if but when he does at this point.

As I walk into the hospital, and I don’t stop until I get to the waiting room on the floor our father’s on. I send Addison a text letting her know I’m here, and I sit in an uncomfortable plastic chair until she gets here.

“Hey,” she says as she walks in the room and plops down in the chair beside me.

“Any change?”

“Yes, they are getting some brain activity now. He’s still breathing on his own. They don’t know if taking him off the vent kick started something in his brain or not. The outlook is still grim and they said it would be best for him in hospice.”

“Okay. Then that’s what we will do.”

“I have all of his things that are in his room bagged up and ready to go. They are taking him there by ambulance. They just need your signature on the paperwork.”

“Lead the way.”

She slowly stands and I stand with her, pulling her into me to lean on me for strength. We walk to the nurse’s station and talk to the charge nurse to get everything signed and prepared for his transfer. Hospice care is ten minutes away from the hospital and closer for Addison to drive to. She can’t stay the night with him there like she was here, but at least she will be close if something happens.

“I’m going to head to the facility to make sure Dad’s room is all ready for him and put some things out to make it all more cheerful.”

“Do you want me to come?”

“You might want to in case they need information from you.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you there. Love you.” I kiss her temple and hug her again.

“Love you too.” She grabs the bags that are outside of Dad’s room and take them with her.

“I’ll help you carry those.

“I got them, they aren’t that heavy. Thanks though.” She walks to the elevators and gets in when they open.

I find the stairs and walk down them and out to my car. Once I’m outside, the sky opens up and rain comes pouring down on me. I think about running, but the result still would be the same. Walking in the rain to my car, I remember what Emily said about letting go of the pain my father caused, and I know she’s right. I let the rain fall down over me, soaking me to my undershirt, and take away the years of hurt and anger that’s made me a cold person.

When I get to my car, my suit is rain soaked and ruined, and even though the suit weighs a ton, I feel lighter. A small weight lifts from me, and I would have never tried to let go of my pain if it wasn’t for Emily’s suggestion. I know it’s not all gone, but I’m trying—I need to keep trying. Not for Emily or Addison but for myself—I have to want this.

I pull off my suit coat that sticks to my body and hang it on the coat hanger in the back seat. Water drips off the cuff and onto the seat of the car. There’s nothing I can do about it, and the driver’s seat isn’t going to be much better. As I pull out of the parking garage, the rain stops, and the sun peeks through the rain clouds—I have to laugh at the irony of the situation.

The drive to the hospice facility is short and I pull into a parking spot next to Addison’s Honda. I think she needs to get a newer more reliable car. I should buy her a car so I know that she won’t get taken advantage of and she’s safe driving wherever she needs to go.

I get out of my car, not even worrying about putting my coat on, and head toward the front of the facility. Addison is waiting for me under the canopy.

“You look like a drowned cat.”

“I feel like one.”

“I guess the downpour got you?”

“Yes, I was too far to run to my car and too far to run back inside the hospital.”

“I’m sorry, but at least you smell better,” she says as she scrunches up her nose.

“Har, har.”

“I talked to the nurse that will be in charge of Dad’s care and she needs a few things from you. I didn’t want to tell her the wrong thing. I told her you would be here shortly.”

“Okay, let’s get everything taken care of so you can stop worrying.”

“I’m not worrying.”

I shoot her a
you can’t bullshit a bullshitter
look.

“Alright, maybe a little bit…okay, a lot.”

“I figured.”

“Thank you, Patrick. I don’t think I could have done all of this on my own.”

“You’re my family; I would do anything for you.” I pull her in for a one arm hug and walk inside the building.

By the time the nurse is finished talking with us, they have Dad in his room and everything in place for his stay, however long that may be.

“I’m going to say good night to Dad.”

“I’ll wait for you so you have someone to walk out with.”

“Okay.”

I walk down the hall, into a small waiting room and sit down in the hard plastic chair. I pull out my phone from my pants pocket and realize it’s water logged. Shit. I’ll need to get a new phone tomorrow. I don’t even know what time it is.

The wait seems like it’s taking forever, I’m sure it’s because I’m just sitting here watching the hallway, willing Addison to hurry up. A few minutes later, I see her walking toward me, I get up and meet her, and we walk out the entrance.