Page 22 of Ebbing Tides (The Lighthouse Duology #2)

I said the words so nonchalantly, like I had just informed them of the weather, and I realized I'd never had to utter them aloud before. My circle of people had remained so small through the years, and they’d all found out about Dad’s prognosis at the same time I had.

Fuck, had I ever talked about his diagnosis with anyone ?

I couldn’t remember, and I wondered if it was for lack of caring or caring too much.

Melanie cleared her throat as she grabbed her napkin. She wiped her mouth and shifted in her seat and realigned her fork and knife beside her plate, and the more she moved, the more I began to wonder what she was avoiding.

Across from me, Charlie blew out a breath and stood, taking his plate with him as he left for the kitchen. Stormy followed suit, collecting the boys’ empty plates, along with her own.

Was it something I said? I wondered.

Or was it something she wasn’t saying?

“My mom battled liver cancer not long ago,” Melanie quietly confessed.

“I’m sorry,” I replied.

“It’s okay. For now anyway. They were able to blast the tumor with radiation, she had a transplant, and she’s been in remission.

” She glanced down the table at Luke and Danny, both of whom seemed oblivious to the conversation.

“Honestly, it’s why we came up here when we did.

I wasn’t sure when we’d be able to get away again, depending on how things with my mom go.

Figured they deserved a little break and some time with Uncle Charlie. ”

“You’ve dealt with too much,” I commented.

She sighed, but didn’t disagree. “We all have. But anyway, when was your dad diagnosed?”

“Ten months ago,” I answered in a grumble. “He’s been in hospice for nine months.”

She looked up at me, surprise in her eyes. “Wow. That’s a pretty long time to be a hospice patient.”

“No kidding,” I said, closing my eyes and sighing.

“You know, I want to go out on a limb and say you don’t seem very happy about that.”

My smile was melancholy and so, so, so shameful.

“Things with my dad are … well, I told you, they’re not good.

Between me and him, I mean. Never have been.

He saddled me with the job of caring for him when he was diagnosed—after the cancer already metastasized and there was nothing the doctors could do for him.

He didn’t want to burden my sisters. I was told he’d be around for a few weeks, maybe a couple of months, but I never imagined nine whole freakin’ months would go by. ”

By the time I finished, embarrassment had set fire to my cheeks, and the collar of my shirt felt too tight. I took a sip of water, hoping to cool the heat of my guilt, but nothing could touch that soul-deep agony.

Melanie let the information seep in, and then she nodded. “When you say things aren’t good, you mean you never patched up your relationship with him?”

“Something like that.”

“Hmm,” she replied. “Well, I don’t know what exactly your relationship with him is like, but whatever you have to say to him, I suggest you say it. For all you know, that’s exactly the reason why he’s held on for so long.”

I didn’t reply, instead diverting my attention to my water glass as I lifted it and took a sip for something better to do. While, in my mind, I began to wonder if maybe she was right.

***

I helped clear the table and offered to do the dishes, but was quickly turned down.

Charlie, ever punctual, casually hinted that it was time to close the gate and the daytime security guard—really wished I could remember that guy’s name—would be leaving.

He gave me an apologetic look, though I knew there was undoubtedly a part of him that wanted me and my dog out of his house.

I accepted there was truth in what he was saying and agreed, collected my jacket and Lido, and headed for the door after saying a quick goodbye to the boys.

Melanie followed me and grabbed the leather jacket from the coat hooks beside the door.

“I’ll walk you to your truck,” she told me with a smile and a quick glance toward Stormy.

“I’ll keep an eye on them,” she said, and although I might be mistaken, I would swear she’d winked.

The winter chill was welcomed the moment we opened the door.

I hadn’t been aware of how stifling the warmth inside was, but once the cold, fresh air wrapped around me, I opened my lungs and happily pulled it in.

Lido headed toward the truck with a simple command, following Charlie down the walkway with a wagging tail, while I trailed behind with Melanie by my side.

She didn’t say anything right away, and I worried I might’ve offended her in some way, or perhaps she’d decided she made a terrible decision to play along with this harebrained idea to live as if she wasn’t leaving.

But once Charlie reached his truck, parked just ahead of mine at the bottom of the hill, and got inside, she found her voice.

“The kids are usually asleep by nine,” she said quietly as Charlie started his engine and drove slowly down the road toward the gate.

“Okay …” I pulled my keys from my pocket as we reached my truck.

I opened the door for Lido, and he immediately climbed in to take his seat on the passenger side.

Melanie bit at her bottom lip before bringing her eyes to mine. “I thought maybe I’d come by if you wanted the company.”

My face remained stoic as I shut Lido’s door.

But then I took a step toward her, gathered her face between my palms, and tipped her lips upward.

I dropped a kiss against them, then another, relishing in the way her pulse fluttered beneath my fingertips, and said, “Don’t bother knocking. The door will be open.”