OCR Text |
Show 77/ Aunt Helga came up beside me. "He's been having trouble with his kidneys. " "Are you very uncomfortable?" I asked him. I wanted Aunt Helga to go away, to leave us alone to talk for a moment. I wanted to say all the things I hadn't said. She didn't leave but stood there, chatting about the treatments he'd taken and how they didn't help. My father held my hand tightly. "I'm glad you came, darling." Tears prodded my eyes. There was so much to say - no way to say it. "I...I just want you to know...that I love you." I took a breath. "And that everything will be all right." His grip tightened, then went slack. "You are so sweet to come to your old father-" Aunt Helga said that he was very tired. "You should get some rest, Rulon, before the other patients come." I nodded and bit my lip. I shouldn't take up his time. I was strong and healthy. I didn't belong in a doctor's office I could walk on alone. I kissed him; "Maybe you can sleep awhile. I'll leave." "He held me against his chest for a long moment. Then I slipped out without saying goodbye. Ever since we left the white house, I have hated goodbyes. The drought continued, the weather cold and steel-grey. On an occasional day when the sun shone, Brian and I went golfing with Danny and Dierdre, who .A introduced us to the sport. Despite the barren weat+h1e,r„.v- Ti oheegacruain to feel that |