While there was a lot I wanted to argue with, it was the last bit that stopped me short. “Katia?”

“Yes, while I have enough in my retirement from the plant, as well as my social security and what’s left of your mom’s life insurance, I want to make sure that you never get stuck paying for my bills. So…” He gulped silently. I recognized the look. It was the one he got anytime he was thinking about mom. “So, I want to sell the house. I figured Katia would be someone we could trust to help us get the best deal that we can.”

She definitely would. When Katia was pregnant with her first baby - her husband had refused to let her work while pregnant - she decided to take a couple real estate classes. It wasn’t long after that she got her license. Now she was ranked as one of the best Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles. Which was why she was going to help me find someone to sublease.

I wouldn’t say it to my father, but him being in a nursing home would be a big relief for me. “Are you sure that is what you want? Selling our home, and moving into a nursing home?”

He shrugged. “It’s just me there now. It can be kind of lonely at night. Besides, it kind of feels like going back to college again, only without all the boring classes.” 

I laughed with him. “Okay. If this is what you want. But know, if you change your mind, I can move back home with you.”

“No.” He said sharply, then quickly softened his tone with a smile. “You’ve done too much for me. For us. You think I don’t know how much of the family weight you have carried since your mother died? I’ve always known how much you’ve done for us. And some nights, it made me feel worse than I already did. My teenage daughter having to take care of me?” He shook his head, disappointed in himself. “No, Pixie. The least I can do for you is to take some of that weight off. And, honestly, the place doesn’t sound so bad. Which leads me to one thing I do need your help with, only for legal purposes of course. At least for now.”

“What’s that?”

“Tomorrow, my lawyer is going to come by.” It took a little more work to control my auto-response to that bomb. “I want to give you Power of Attorney… just in case. This will also give you access to my bank accounts and such. You can help me set up those automatic payment things for the few bills I will still have.”

“But… Randy…”

“May be the oldest,” he cut me off, already knowing where I was going with that, “but he isn’t exactly the best with money. I may not know all the details, nor do I want to, but that boy just can’t seem to keep a hold of money. I know you help him out from time to time because you are a good sister, but Pixie, it’s about time to let that boy deal with his own problems.”

I bit my lip and looked at my lap. I knew that. I always knew that. But I also had a soft spot for the idiot.

“I know, Daddy. And one day, I will. I just haven’t reached that point yet.”

He huffed. “Yeah, I know that too. The least I can do is force you to reach that point with me. I want you to have a life outside of work and the family. I want you to push further with work. Reach for the stars.” He winked at me and smiled. “Just don’t forget about your old man and come visit me once in a while.”

I giggled softly and moved to lay my head on his shoulder. “I could never forget about you, Daddy.”

Time flew quickly. I blinked, and Dad was getting situated in his new little apartment. The first time I visited, just two days later, I found him laughing with an old friend from the plant. They were living only one floor apart. My Dad was already more alive than I had seen in over a decade. 

I blinked again, and Katia and I were cleaning out the house, and the new buyers were in escrow. Randy said he’d come help us, but I wasn’t holding my breath. 

I had been there for a little over an hour when Katia arrived. I opened the door to my best friend, my ride or die, and then laughed. She held up two bottles of champagne and was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It was the t-shirt that made me laugh. She had obviously made it herself. It was bright purple and pink tie-died (because Katia was a unique person who randomly liked to tie-dye clothes).

Across the top read Congrats to my bestie for making partner! That’s right cyber spies, look out, because she’s got her cyber eye on you. The lettering got smaller and smaller as it went through. 

Her husband bought her a Cricket last year. He and I both agreed it had not been the brightest of ideas. She loved it a little too much. And now they had their names and random phrases on literally every material in their house. 

“Congrats, Fi!!!” Katia lifted her champagne filled hands in the air and moved in for a hug.

“Congrats on what?” 

Katia stepped back from me, as we both turned toward the deep voice. Shockingly, Randy had arrived. And on time. 

I cleared my throat nervously. I always felt a little bad that my dreams were coming true and his weren’t. “I, uh, got a promotion at work. It’s no big deal.”

Katia snorted and rolled her eyes at me. “They made her a Junior partner. That’s a big freaking deal, Fi.”