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Elena was used to being recognized in public, but having her father’s nurse recognize her caught her off guard. The band’s popularity had clearly reached farther than she’d realized.

“I have tickets to your show here in a couple of weeks.”

“Oh, well, thank you.”

As Shawn went to work taking her father’s vitals and logging them into his tablet, Elena slowly walked over to the vinyl chair by the bed and sat. He was breathing on his own, which Elena thought was a good sign. Cautiously reaching out, Elena took hold of his hand.

“Between you and me,” she slowly exhaled as she looked at Shawn, “how is he? I’ve only talked to my mother.”

“He’s in critical but stable condition.”

“Is he more critical or stable?”

“It just means his vitals are within normal limits and stable at this time, but that could change due to the seriousness of the heart attack.” Shawn sat his tablet down on the table by the bed. “A heart attack stops blood flow to the heart, and this can cause damage depending on how severe the blockage is. They got a stent put in quickly, so they’re hopeful about his outcome.”

“Good.” Elena nodded. “That’s good.”

“His heart surgeon should be in early, and he’ll stop by. I can try to answer any questions you have, though.”

“When should he wake up?”

“We don’t really know. It varies by each person.”

“But he can hear me, right?”

Shawn smiled. “Yeah, he can hear you. I’ll check back on him later.”

“Thanks, Shawn.”

As Shawn left the room, Elena sat on the edge of the chair and propped her elbows up on the bed. She kept a tight grip on her father’s limp hand. Elena didn’t know what to say, but she hoped the words would come to her.

“Hey, Dad.” She let out a dry laugh. “That sounds dumb. But I don’t know how to do this. You and I have never had an open relationship. And I know that recently I’ve upset you, but I hope that one day we can move past this. Because I want my dad in my life. And I was hoping you could get to know Skylar. She’s so great, Dad. I know if you give her a chance, you’ll like her. She loves to fish, so you finally know someone with a boat.”

Elena paused, watching her father’s chest methodically rise and fall. She wished she knew if he was listening.

The door opened again, but this time it was Adele. She had a cup of coffee in each hand and sat Elena’s on the table. Adele pulled the other vinyl chair up beside Elena’s and sat down. They sat in silence for a few moments before Adele bumped her shoulder against Elena’s.

“I talked to Skylar.”

“Yeah?”

Adele nodded a slight smile on her face. “I know that we didn’t give you the perfect coming out story, but I want you to know that your dad and I are trying. He’s been praying nonstop since you left. I know he’s struggling; we both are, but you’re our daughter, and we love you.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

As Adele wrapped an arm around her shoulders, Elena leaned into the embrace.

“I hope you can get to know Skylar and know how happy she makes me.”

“I can see that. And I know she loves you, which I have to give her credit for. You are not easy to love.” They laughed, and Elena rolled her eyes. “No, but seriously, Elena, I like Skylar. It makes my heart happy that she came here to be with you during this time. I will need more time before I start going to those Gay Pride things, but I want you to know I’m trying.”

“That’s all I can ask for. Thank you.”

“Thank you for telling us.”

Elena smiled and turned her attention to her father. She still had a tight grip on his hand, which was still limp.

“I wish he would wake up.”