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“It’s been too long.” She stepped back and looked up at him. “I’m so glad you came to see him.”
“I should’ve come sooner.”
She patted his arm. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“How’s he doing today?”
“Like I told you on the phone, he’s weak. It’s taken a toll on his body, and he’s very thin. We don’t think he has much more time.” Her chin began to quiver, and Oliver pulled her into another hug.
“I’m so sorry, Fay.”
She gave him a tight squeeze before letting go. “We know God is with him, and we believe he’ll be going to a better place with no more pain. That gives us comfort.”
Oliver had always admired their family’s faith. He shared their belief in God and Heaven but had never been much of a churchgoer. It wasn’t done in his family. Especially after the tragedy they had endured.
Fay led him into the house to where a hospital bed was set up in their living room. Donny looked to be sleeping but as soon as they neared, his eyes opened.
“Oliver.” His eyes were sunken with dark circles, his face thin and pale. Fay was right. The cancer had taken a toll on his body. “Come talk to me.”
Oliver’s heart ached as he sat in the chair by Donny’s bed. “How ya doin’, old man?”
Donny gave a weak chuckle. “Never better. Did you bring your fishing gear? We can go see what’s biting.”
Oliver laughed at that. “Maybe next time.”
Fay patted him on the shoulder and left the two of them alone to talk.
“I hear you’re a grandfather again.”
“I sure am. Austin Donald. Named after me.”
“That’s sweet. I’m happy for you.”
Donny managed a smile. “How are you, my boy? Anyone special in your life?”
“Actually, I did meet someone. A really special someone. And I could use some advice.”
“Hit me with it.”
“We come from very different worlds, and there’s a lot to overcome.”
“Tell me more.”
“She’s very wealthy, an actress with famous parents. Her life is very public. She’s followed around by reporters all the time. She’s ten years younger than me. And she wants to have a family.” Saying it all out loud overwhelmed him. “There are just too many differences. So I broke it off.”
Donny coughed. “You broke up with a young, rich woman who wanted a family with you? If I could, I would smack you right now.”
Oliver couldn’t help but smile. “I think I can get past the paparazzi and the age difference. But I don’t know how we can get past me not wanting kids.”
“Not this again.” Donny was nothing if not blunt. “Did you ever go talk to a therapist like I told you to?”
Oliver shook his head, the guilt rushing in.
“This aversion you have to bringing a child into this world is not something you can deal with on your own, Oliver. What happened to your brother shaped your life in so many ways, in your career choice, in the way you think about children, and you’ve never been able to move past that. And I know you don’t think you can, or maybe you think you don’t want to, but I know deep down you do. If you love this woman, you’ll do it for her. Because you can’t get through it if you don’t find someone to help you.”
Oliver was quiet. The thought of dredging up the past did not sound appealing to him. Especially since he’d worked so hard to push it down and avoid dealing with it.
“God brought someone special into your life. Don’t push her away because of this.”