The drive to the Hardy home was boring. The sky was a ash grey and dead brown leaves flew up in the air. Frank looked in the mirror to see Charlotte asleep in the back. He was reluctant to take her with him, but Callie had to work and he wasn't about to leave her home alone.
As soon as he pulled into the driveway, Charlotte woke up. She smiled at him to let her know she was alright,then opened the car door. Laura opened the door and let Charlotte inside.
"Charlotte! How are you feeling?"
" A little better."
"That's good. Grandpa is upstairs with Ben and Margaret."
Charlotte ran upstairs and Frank helped his mom in the kitchen.
"Does he seem better than yesterday?"
"I'm not sure anymore, Frank." she sighed.
He gave her an apologetic smile and made his way upstairs. From his parents bedroom, he could hear the children laughing.
"Tell the story again, please grandpa?" Margaret asked.
"Alright. Well, when your fathers were around Ben and Charlotte's age, they helped a man down the street."
Frank remembered what happened well. The man had lost his wallet. The wallet held a very important picture of his daughter.
"Please, can you boys please help me find my wallet? It has a picture of my little girl in it!" the man said hysterically.
" We will help you, sir. What does it look like?" Frank asked.
"It's leather and brown."
The boys later found it that day stuck in the floorboards. The man was almost in tears as he thanked them.
"Thank you! I am forever grateful!"
" It was our pleasure, sir." Joe told him.
It turned out that the man's daughter died of a rare heart disease about two months later.
" I like that story," Margaret said.
"Why don't you go help grandma in the kitchen?" Fenton asked.
The kids went downstairs and Frank sat by his father's side.
"How are you feeling?"
" I know I don't have much time left. If I do die, don't be upset."
"I just wish I could help you, dad." Frank said.
"I know you do, son. However, just know I died in peace knowing that you and Joe made a life for yourself. You have good kids, don't ever tell them different. I love you, son."
Little did they know, outside the door, Charlotte stood with a tear streaming down her cheek.
As Frank turned to leave Charlotte's room that night, she finally asked the question.
"Daddy, he's dying, isn't he?"
He grimaced and sighed, it was time he told her.
"There's an equal chance of him living or dying. We don't know."
"I don't want him to leave! Everybody leaves! Patricia left, I don't want him to leave," she cried.
In that moment, he saw the heartbreak and memories spill out of her eyes. The world was cruel to her. At the age of eleven, she was convinced she was safe by her kidnapper and now had to watch her grandpa die. It wasn't right.
" He won't leave you. I promise. " he whispered kissing her forehead.
When she fell asleep again, he couldn't find it in him to leave. So, he got under the covers and tried to sleep. He didn't want to lie to her, but what could he say at this point?
