Another Day

The day after Joshua’s graduation, I pulled him over to the stone bench by my garden so I could talk to him about his future plans. I had gained a lot of respect for my son over the past few months and I had no more doubts about his ability to continue on the legacy. I was worried the he may want to move away, like Garret had, since his love for music was so great.

Joshua sat down on the bench and looked up at me. I was feeling pretty nervous and he could sense it.

“Sit down dad, don’t look so uncomfortable. Tell me what’s going on.”

He patted on the spot next to him. I sat down, but was silent for a few minutes. We both just leaned back and enjoyed the beautiful day.

“Son, did I ever tell you the story of how I ended up here?” 

It was a weak attempt at starting the conversation I was afraid to have. Joshua looked up at me and I could see his eyes shift back and forth as he examined my wrinkled face. His mouth curved into a slight smile, “I think I may have forgotten a few details. Maybe you could tell me it again?”

I cleared my throat and retold my story. It seemed to be a completely different life to me, like it was just another story I heard as a child.

“I guess I’ll never know why that old man gave me the deed to this plot of land, but I think I might have an idea. A single old man with no more living family, he was just looking for any one to carry on his story. I think I was just the lad he ran into that he decided could use a little help in the world…”

I let my story trail off, hoping Joshua would say something. He just looked at me in silence, a smile still planted on his lips.

“Clearly, I am not a young lad anymore. My story has been writ… You, though, have a future ahead of you. You have a blank page before you. What do you plan to write on it?”

Joshua thought about it for a bit. “I guess I don’t really know yet. I mean, I love music, and would really like to become a rock star someday. I haven’t really given too much attention to my future plans.”

“You know, I would never make you do anything you did not want to do. I want you to be the heir to my legacy. I offered this to Garret when he was your age, but he turned me down. He told me that you would be better suited to stay here. At first I didn’t see it, but now I do. You are so talented and I can see so much of my younger self in you. I will not be hurt if you don’t want to do this, I will always be proud of you either way.”

His face had turned red and he began to laugh gently.

“Dad, it would be an honor to carry on your legacy! I’ve dreamt of this since I was a kid. Of course I will do it.”

I was elated. Joshua stood up and gave me a very strong hug.

*~:~*

 The next morning I woke up to the familiar strumming of guitar chords and the sweet voice of Joshua as he sang. It was a new song, he must have been up all night working on it. After his graduation, he stopped singing love songs, and I wondered if something had happened between him and Connie.

I walked out into living room, still in my pajamas. Joshua and Layla were both in there in their bed-clothes. Layla was playing chess while she listened to her brother’s new song.

I went over to Layla and asked her to dance with me. She giggled and jumped up. She danced just as good as he mother used to.

“You might as well just stop crying

It doesn’t mean much to me anymore

A little too late to start trying

I’m taking this love off of life support

Now I can’t stay.

Every lie that won’t come true

Now you wanna take the time but why would you

Think you’re gonna make it right but how could you

So I can’t stay, surrounded by every lie

Trying to undo the love that I’m tied to

Who haven’t you lied to?”

His lyrics intrigued me, but only for an instant. We all heard a loud, heavy thud come from the dining area. Joshua threw down his guitar as we all sprinted to the adjacent room. When we entered, we were in shock. Carlotta was lying motionless on the floor, the maid standing over her in surprise.

Joshua immediately whipped out his cell phone and called 911. Layla ran over to her mother and began to check for pulse and respiration. I turned my attention to the maid, pushing her back to the wall.

“What happened to my wife?” I roared at her.

The poor maid started to shake in fear. “I don’t know, sir. The last time I saw her, she was standing across the room painting. I was in the kitchen when I heard her fall and ran to her side.”

 I sent her home and told her that we would take care of everything. When the paramedics arrived, they quickly loaded her onto a stretcher and placed an oxygen mask on her face. She was starting to come to as they loaded her onto the back of the ambulance. I climbed in after her.

It took hours for them to run tests and figure out what happened to her. The whole time I paced up and down the halls of the hospital. Each hour I grew more and more anxious. I feared the worst, but was hoping for the best.

After six hours of pacing, they finally told me that she was back in her room and I would be able to visit her. I ran to her room, number 402, and was stunned to see her sitting in the chair, fully clothed, with a smile on her face. It was as though nothing had happened. I raised an eyebrow at her, while forcing a smile.

“The doctor said that it was just a mild stroke. They took some scans of my brain to see if there was any visible damage done, but they didn’t see anything. I am to take physical therapy for two months just to be sure that there is no serious damage. They told me to start using a cane on my left side to help with the weakness I’m feeling. What a scare this was though.”

All the way home, I could only think what a lucky break we had.

 

Chapter Eleven: Daddy’s Girl