His grin crinkled his aging face. “I’m glad to hear it. I’m so proud of you for sticking with it and not giving up.”

Dad was referring to college. He was still under the belief that I worked so many hours to help pay for my schooling, instead of taking out a bunch of student loans. Little did he know, I still took out most of it in loans. I had only worked so much to try and keep my brother above water. I also borrowed more than needed because of him.

Randy ended up losing his scholarship half way through college because he missed a lot of practices and was failing most of his classes. And, on occasion, he’d show up to one or both with bruises he always lied about. Now he was a manager for the movie theater, the same one I had worked at all through high school and college. 

That had not been fun. 

The most embarrassing moment of my life happened while working with my brother.

With no social life, I only met new people through work. Not a problem usually. It was during my summer between high school and college when Randy started there. I was dating a coworker, one of the temporary employees to get us through the busy summer season. 

On occasion, we would sneak into one of the theaters not being used, usually because they were between showings, and were scheduled for cleaning. We were both on break, and found a dark, empty room, and a good corner.

You see where I am going with this?

Both our shirts were on the floor, and we were in the process of losing our pants. Both were open wide, but you couldn’t see any part of me, since Bobby’s hand was fully covering me, inside and out. His knees were bending, as his kisses were moving further south, when the lights flashed on suddenly. We still had twenty minutes before that room was due to be cleaned. 

I didn’t register what the lights coming on meant, seeing as I was right on the edge of the highlight of my evening, when my brother’s deep voice rang through the fog, yelling “my eyes, my eyes!” Repeatedly. At least he had the decency to run back out and close the door before his partner came in after him. 

Needless to say, I did not go over that edge. Not until work was over and we were in Bobby’s car. Fully alone. And even then, he had to work to get me to relax. We also never hid in an empty theater again. 

“Thanks, Daddy.” I pushed unwanted memories away and focused on him. His voice was still weak, but better. “How are you feeling? How was your day?”

I leaned down and kissed my Dad’s pale cheeks. At least they had a little more color today. I sat down in the chair next to his bed, the one I’d practically been living in for the last week. 

Dad took my hand in his and patted it softly. That was a good sign. Two days ago, he wouldn’t have been able to pat me.

“It was a good day. I had a nice long talk with the doctor and some other people that came in.”

“Oh, yeah. What other people?”

He looked to be taking a deep breath, like he was preparing for something. It kind of freaked me out, but I was pretty good at hiding my emotions around my family by now.

“A representative for Olympus Prime came by to see me today.”

I’d heard that name before, but I couldn’t remember specifically what it was. He must have seen my confusion since I didn’t care to try and hide that one. He reached for the dining tray attached to the bed and picked up a brochure. On the cover was an older man playing chess with a younger man who was wearing scrubs.

“A retirement home? I thought you never wanted to live in one of those places.”

He had never been quiet about his opinion of them. In fact, I was pretty sure that was one reason why he quit drinking a few years ago. He claimed it was because he was trying to stay healthy.

“Not exactly. While it is for retirees, it’s also a nursing home.” His face looked so sad when he said that. 

“Dad, what did the doctor say today?” He had to have said something, considering this had never come up before.

“He said a whole bunch of medical stuff that I don’t even remember. But what it comes down to is the fact that I am never going to be the same again. All my years of drinking really did a number on my body. If I hadn’t quit when I had, I probably wouldn’t have survived the heart attack. If I’m not extremely careful, I could have a worse one, or even a stroke.”

I squeezed his hands, trying to support him and remind myself he was still there. “That’s what you have me for. Katia and I already made a plan. She is going to help me find someone to sublease my apartment. I am going to move home and take care of you. If you need more care, we can hire a home health-aide. At least for during the day, when I have to go into the office.”

He tsked and shook his head. “No, Pixie. You’ve given up enough of your life to take care of me. I have it all worked out. Between you, me, and Katia, we can get all this settled by the time I am released.”