“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.”
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.”
