Falling Apart, Together✓

Chapter Seven

October and November bled into December and soon enough Christmas was right around the corner. Thanksgiving was bittersweet this year with none of us really wanting to celebrate but Dad was hell bent on celebrating what he said would probably be his last Thanksgiving.

I even made it a point to get along with Richard when he, Linda and Ransom joined us for dinner. Granted, that just meant doing my best to avoid him when I could and when I couldn't, making polite small talk, not allowing him to get too close.

I hated thinking about it but I knew Dad was right. He was getting weaker every day. It was happening a lot quicker than I was ready for. At his most recent appointment they gave him an updated time frame. At this rate, they were worried he wouldn't see the New Year.

I was sitting with him, me on the living room floor, him in his favorite chair, while I was wrapping presents on Christmas Eve. Mom was out doing some last minute shopping and Archer was at work, finishing up before he would be on vacation until after the holidays.

"So how's the plan going?" Dad asks, breaking the comfortable silence.

"It's currently on hold."

"Why?"

"Because you deserve my attention right now. If this is to be our final days with you, I can't focus on Ransom or Laurel or Jonathan. Besides, one part has already been a success."

"Oh yeah?"

"Oh yeah. Laurel exploded on me in front of the whole grocery store last week."

Flashback

I was at the grocery store, picking up some things for my mom. So far my plan has been working perfectly. Archer was really pulling through, showing up with Ransom everywhere we went. I knew with Ransom it was going to take longer to get him to fold but I was enjoying watching his anger rise like a cartoon character.

I rounded the corner and almost literally ran into Laurel. Great... She took one look at me and her face morphed into something ready and ugly. "Oh look, it's the little home wrecker."

I look around. "What are you doing?" She asks.

"Trying to figure out who the fuck you're talking to because I know it isn't me. I didn't break apart anything for you. You did that all on your own."

"Ransom threw me to the curb after you went off of him."

"Glad he joined Jonathan in taking out the trash."

"That's right. I heard you were seeing my ex. How does it feel to have my sloppy seconds?"

"How does it feel to have mine? Better yet, how does it feel to know that both your ex and your former side piece both would rather have me over you."

"Ugh, whatever! You're still just a nobody with a hot brother and a hot ex. That's the only reason I kept you around in high school."

"That's fine because I'm a nobody that gets her pictures featured in National Geographic and have received accolades from all over the world for them. Meanwhile, you've been doing what exactly? Foolishly throwing money into a pyramid scheme, hoping the products will keep you looking young enough so you can continue to hold a man's interest." She screams before walking away.

End of Flashback

"You did not say that to her!" Dad says, howling with laughter. He stopped short, having a coughing fit. I went to make sure he was ok, passing him his cup of water. He accepts it and then waves me off.

"I did. What do I have to lose?"

"She could've hit you." He offers.

"Eh, it would've been worth it." He starts coughing again and he pulls his hand back, revealing blood. I panic a little. "We're going to the hospital." He tries to fight me on this. "Yes, we are. You're not dying on me when I can get you help."

...

I get him to the hospital and get him checked out. It was bad. His organs are beginning to shut down and he probably would never be going home. I called my mom and had her meet us here. As soon as she entered dad's room, I excused myself, giving them some time.

I go out to the waiting room and pull my phone out of my back pocket. I contemplate going through with it, arguing with myself before I quickly tap the contact information and hit call. It rings twice before they answer.

"Hey, I need you."