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FIVE
After a long shift at work, Oliver was beat, and the steak and potatoes he’d never had a chance to eat last night were calling his name. He went straight from his front door to the leftovers he’d put in the fridge and popped them in the microwave while he changed into comfy clothes. When he was finally settled into his chair with a fork full and on the way to his mouth, his phone rang, and he was struck with a sense of deja vu.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” He glanced over at the screen.
Val.
He almost didn’t answer, but his ex-wife rarely called unless it was something important. So he reluctantly set the food down once again and answered.
“Hello.”
“Hey, it’s Val.”
“I know.”
“How are you?” she asked.
“I’m fine. You?”
“Not the greatest, which is why I’m calling.”
“Are you okay?”
“I am. But we just found out my dad has prostate cancer.”
His heart wrenched at this news. “Val, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I thought you should know. I know how close you and Dad always were.”
“What’s the treatment plan?”
She blew out a breath into the phone. “It’s not good, Oliver. It’s extremely aggressive and has spread. They’re giving him maybe six months at the most.”
Oliver’s throat tightened with impending tears.
“Surgery isn’t really an option, and he’s decided to forego chemotherapy, so we’ll get him medication for the symptoms. And then we wait.”
Oliver didn’t know what to say. Donny was a great man, and he’d been there for Oliver, even through the divorce. He felt bad for having not reached out to him much this year.
“I know he’d love to see you before …” Val’s voice cracked and trailed off, and he could tell she was crying on the other end, which was always his weakness.
“Val.”
She sniffled. “I’m fine.”
“I know you’re not fine. You can still talk to me if you want. You know that.”
“Why are you such a good guy … after everything?”
He didn’t respond to that. “How are you really?” he asked instead.
“I think I’m still in shock, and I’m worried. I’m afraid …” She paused for several beats. “I guess I should just come out and say it … I’m having another baby.”
“Oh.”
“I’m due in a few months, and I’m so afraid Dad won’t be around to meet him.”
Hearing Val was having a second baby with her new husband, Mike, filled him with a mix of emotions. A small part of him was still angry that she’d left him for that man after a year-long affair. But the other part was glad Mike was able to give her what Oliver didn’t have the desire to. Val had wanted kids practically from the day Oliver married her, but after a tragedy in his family and all the violence he saw on the job, he had no desire to bring a child into the world.