𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 [𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤]

𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧

Pope and I were the first ones to reach his father when we got to the store. Heyward was leaning against the railing looking angry and defeated, "Oh my god, what happened?" I moved in closer, "Where's the first aid kit?" Kie ran in and found the kit behind the counter and brought it out to me. I grabbed the alcohol pads to clean it while Sarah found some bandages.

"Thank you, girls." He said once we finished and stepped away.

Pope moved forward, "Pop, what happened?"

"I should've known better, he came in just as I was about to lock up and caught me by surprise. He got me down and put his knee in my chest and asked me about that key from that drawing you showed me." JJ and I shared a look, "And in case you're wondering, I didn't tell him nothing." He reassured us.

"Knew you were good for something." I joked with him, but he didn't find it funny.

"Now did you track it down?" We all looked at Pope as he pulled the key out of his back pocket and handed it to his dad.

"I found it, in Meemaw's old apartment above the pharmacy. Just like you said." Pope sounded so proud of himself for doing it on his own. I was too.

"Shit." Heyward whispered as he held the key in his hands. "You should've gave this to me. I wouldn't have had to take a beating. I mean, what's the big deal? It ain't worth anything, why they want it so bad?"

"I don't know. First, I get this letter telling me that I need to go to Charleston, then I meet this rich lady that's asking me for a key I didn't even know existed."

Kiara chimed in, "None of it makes any sense."

"Well don't y'all just sit here whining about it. Figure it out." Heyward encouraged.

"No, I'm just gonna give the key to that lady." Pope came to terms.

"No, no, no." Heyward cut him off, "Did I raise you to back down from a fight?"

I started to zone out. I could feel the beer in my stomach just sloshing around. I needed to eat before the feeling made me throw up. I wonder what's for lunch.

We stayed with Heyward for a little while longer before heading back to John B's, Pope stayed behind with his dad. "Drop me home shitbird?" I asked as we turned down our street. He nodded and continued on to my house. My dad's truck was there again when we pulled up, I guess he already went to the doctor.

I waited for JJ to open the sliding door before I hopped out, "You coming back later?" Sarah asked. I looked at JJ as he stood waiting to climb back in the passenger seat. He gave me a slight nod.

"I should be. I have to talk to my dad though. I'm kinda worried about him."

"You know where to find us." Sarah smiled at me as I turned to close the door.

"Bye boys." I said to them as I walked to the passenger side window.

They both responded at the same time, "Bye Lou." Before they pulled off and went to John B's. When I opened the front door, I was greeted by Cooper and an argument coming from the kitchen. It sounded like my dad and brother, but I couldn't hear exactly what they were talking about. I quietly inched closer to try and listen without them having the chance to change the topic of conversation once they knew what I was doing.

"You're dying, dad." Dylan yelled again, catching me off guard. I could hear the worry in his voice. The sentence alone makes me worried. "And you're lying to everyone about it."

My dad waited a while before responding, "There's no need to worry anyone about me."

"But there is a need. Laney needs to know. I need to know. The severity of your condition and how long we have with you is something we need to discuss. We can't just sit around and be surprised when we wake up one day and you don't. Laney came back to be with you and if you don't tell her what's going on, then it's going to mess her up more when you go." I could hear Dylan walking out of the kitchen as he finished, catching me in my eavesdropping but I didn't care.

Through tears I asked him, "What's going on?"

"It's not my place to tell." And walked on to his room.

I rounded the corner into the kitchen to see my dad sitting at the counter with his head in his hands. "Dad?" he looked at me, sad and exhausted. "Dad, please tell me what's going on."

He sighed and motioned for me to sit next to him at the counter, "After you left with your mother in May, I fainted at work. They called the ambulance, and I ended up in the hospital. You know how much I despise the hospital. But when I was there, they found a mass in my right lung." My eyes widened as he spoke, but the tears never stopped. "They tested it back in June and it came back as cancerous. I've been going to the doctors every 2 weeks to figure out treatment and to also monitor the mass."

He stopped for a second to assess how I was feeling. This was the worst possible news I could have ever heard. How was I going to lose my dad? My best friend. I couldn't bear the thought, "They say it's stage 3 and I can't afford the treatments." He finally said to me.

"You have cancer, and you weren't going to tell me? You've been going to work even after everything?"

"I can't afford to not go to work. If I don't go to work, you and your brother will have no where to live." Right now, I was wishing Ward had never stolen the gold. I'm sure John B would have lended me the money and my dad wouldn't have to worry about being able to pay for his treatments or the house.

"I'll get a job. Maybe Heyward will hire me? Or see if Kie's parents will hire me at The Wreck. Something to help out. You need the treatments." I pleaded with him even though I knew he wouldn't let me get a job. All he's ever told me is that I need to finish school before I worry about anything else.

"No, school first. And I want you to be able to spend your free time being a kid. Not worrying about taking care of me. I'm supposed to take care of you, and I will. Until I can't anymore." He stood up and headed for the doorway, "You're first day back is Monday. Don't forget."

I was angry. Not really at him, but just because he was keeping things from me, and he never did. So, I packed a bag and drove down to John B's. I couldn't be home right now.