Dying Wish

Chapter 11

"Hey, did you have a good time?" Andrew asked Laura.

"I did," she replied. "Times with Tobias are always fun."

"What'd you guys do?" He asked, probably digging for deep, juicy information. He never seemed to grasp that guys and girls can have friendships that are strictly friendships.

"Just talked," she said. She knew the short and sweet answer would raise questions, however. Her dad could be a little nosy.

"Just talked?" He pried. And there it was. His subtle inquisitiveness exposed.

"Yes, Dad," she rolled her eyes, "just talked. Tobias is my friend, and only my friend. I wouldn't want it any other way. It's nice like this."

"Okay, just wanted to check," he backed off.

"Well, you test the waters like, every single time. Nothing's changed," Laura said, going through the usual conversation.

"Alright, alright," he surrendered. "I believe you. But I may not believe you next week, so count on another round of interrogations." Her dad was humorous, and always teased her.

"Oh, great," she sighed, yet smiling, because of the light, easy friendship her father and she shared.

"So...how was chemo?" He asked, although hesitantly. He didn't know if it would be a sore subject.

"Awful, like usual," replied Laura blandly. "It's something that you have no idea what it's like until you go through it yourself."

"Okay. If you don't want to talk about that stuff you don't have to. I just like to know about how things are going with you because I don't get to see you as much," he said.

"Yeah, I guess I don't. If you want to know some of these things I guess you'll just have to ask mom or come along yourself," she said, being honest.

"I'm sorry I can't be around as much as your mom. I really wish things would've worked out with us," he apologized.

"It still could," Laura shrugged. "There's not a lot that can't be worked out with some heart changes."

He only shrugged in response, silently saying that he didn't want to go through the effort.

"So, Dad, I have a question," Laura said, breaking the silence that lingered a few moments.

He responded, "Ask away."

"Do you believe in God?"

"I do. God is the rock on which is stand. Jesus is my only hope for life," he replied.

"Do you think mom does?"

"Well, she did before, but I'm not so sure anymore. She doesn't seem like it."

"What changed?"

"I think our divorce was hard on her, and the death of her own mother just a couple of months later. Her mom and she were also fighting, so it made her feel really guilty having things end on bad terms. I think she's just been through a lot and just needs prayers," he explained.

"I do pray for her, everyday. And you too, but especially her because I'm not so sure she's a Believer. I told God I want more than anything to be reunited with my family in Heaven one day," she told her dad.

"That's sweet," he said as they were pulling into the driveway of his apartment.

The dog greeted them with a wagging tail and followed them inside and watched as they ate an ice cream dessert.