Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
There was an underlying current in his tone that told me that he had no intention of arguing about it.
“Of course. What’s up, Dad.”
“I’m sure you’ve gone through all my documents and see that I’m in trouble. I didn’t mean for things to get this far and I especially didn’t want you to take on the burden of trying to figure things out. I’ve let you down sweetheart, and I’m sorry.”
His eyes gleamed with the suspicious sheen of tears. “I’ve only seen my dad cry one other time and that was at my mother’s funeral. Even though I was slightly peeved with him for not telling me how bad things were until now, I could never be angry with him.
I reach across the table and clasp his hand. “Dad, I wish you would have told me what was happening. I’m guessing you did this for Langston’s sake. I know things must have been bad because you took a second mortgage out on this house even though it had already been paid off.”
He hangs his head as if he’s afraid to look me in the eye. “I don’t know where I went wrong with that boy but I couldn’t let him get hurt.”
“What do you mean by ‘get hurt’?”
“Your brother apparently got involved with some very bad people and he ended up owing them a bunch of money. They said they would hurt him if he didn’t give it to him.”
“And you believed him?”
“As prideful as your brother is, I know what it must have taken him to come to me. You know how much he hated living in Champion. He always had these dreams of making it big but instead of being patient and working hard he took the easy way. He wouldn’t give me all the details but I’m guessing it was something illegal.”
I sigh. If Langston was nothing else, he was a huge piece of shit. “Has it occurred to you to let him stand on his own two feet and figure things out for himself?”
“I didn’t want to let him down. He was so close your mother. When she died, he changed. Look, I know he’s selfish but he’s still my son and I don’t want to see either of my kids suffering.”
“But Dad, you’ve helped him to the point where you’re about to lose your house. You have no money in the bank to find somewhere else. You clearly weren’t thinking clearly. You’ve blown your retirement on that fool.”
“Zora, I understand that but I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t help him. I would have done the exact same thing for you.”
“But the difference between me and Langston is that I would never have put you in this situation in the first place. Do you know he’s currently on the run because he embezzled a large sum of money from his last job?”
“He did? Maybe that’s why he was trying to get a hold of me. I had a bunch of missed calls from him while I was in the hospital. I haven’t had a chance to call him back yet.”
“And you’re not going to. You’re going to let me handle everything from here on out and that means no more helping him.”
“I don’t want him to get in trouble with the law.”
“It’s too late for that, Dad.”
“But…but…” He clutches his chest and takes several deep breaths.
I jump to my feet and race to his side. “Dad, are you okay.”
“I’m fine.” He waves me off. “Just got a little excited. Maybe I do need to lay down.”
I get him a glass of water and hand it to him.
He takes a few careful sips and sits the glass on the table. “Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll find a way to get out of this trouble I’m in.”
“You’ll do no such thing except look after your health. I’m here now. I’ll taking a leave of absence from my job while I sort things out.”
He shakes his head vehemently. “No. I don’t want you to do that, Zora. I know you love your job. I don’t want you to give it up for me.”
“I’m not giving it up. I’m just taking some time off. Well, partially. Some of my clients have agreed to do our sessions via video chat. As for Langston, promise me you won’t call him back until I sort things out.”
“But what if he calls?”
“Don’t answer. Dad, I don’t ask for much but I’m asking you do this one favor for me. Let him sweat things out for a bit.”
He doesn’t answer right away and at first I don’t think he’ll agree but finally he nods. “Okay. I won’t but I’m worried about him.”
“Dad, the only person you need to worry about is yourself. Go lie down and I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
“Okay, sweetie.” He slowly rises to his feet and my heart squeezed in my chest. His movements are that of an old man instead of the vibrant man I remember from my childhood. My dad is getting old and I can only imagine the tremendous stress he’s been under.