FatherSonFather by Evan Jacobs

Author:Evan Jacobs
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781680210385
Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
Published: 2016-01-15T15:01:58+00:00

Chapter 43

Breakdown

So the doctor said everything looks good with your father’s cholesterol and blood pressure.” Andrea had intercepted Jeff in the driveway that evening.

He’d stayed late at school. The Key Club was making banners for the upcoming food drive. Danielle had helped.

“Now they want to up some of his Parkinson’s medications because of the shaking, but your dad and I are against it. Especially if it is going to make him more tired.”

As Andrea spoke, Jeff saw Mr. Miles, a neighbor, behind them. He was working on his car. Mr. Miles had hung a light so he could see his work. Every so often he looked up at them.

Jeff could tell he was staring at Andrea.

“The only other concern I have is your father mentioned being dizzy.”

Jeff stared at Andrea. If she could tell Jeff was concerned about the neighbor seeing her, she didn’t show it. He figured she probably didn’t care. Jeff wished he could be like that.

“Has he mentioned that to you?” she went on.

Jeff shook his head.

He wanted this conversation to be over. Andrea could be here with his dad when Jeff wasn’t home. His dad could tell him what was going on. Nobody in the neighborhood needed to know about Andrea.

“Keep an eye on that. Your dad might not share that with you.” Andrea put her hand on Jeff’s shoulder. Her masculine-looking hand. A hand she would probably change if she could afford it. “Sometimes parents can’t stop being parents long enough to see that their children are no longer kids.”

Again, Jeff nodded his head. He watched the neighbor. Even though it was starting to get dark, he thought he saw him laugh. Laughing at the crisis Jeff’s family was in.

“Okay.” Andrea’s tone changed, and this got Jeff’s attention. “I can see you don’t want to talk about this or anything related to me.”

“No, it’s not that,” Jeff said meekly. Andrea was really good at making her points. She could defend herself in a way Jeff could not.

“I know you don’t want your dad to be sick. But do you think I really want to work in a home where the son of a patient I care about hates me? Can’t you get past yourself for a minute and see I might actually be good for your father?”

Their eyes were locked in confrontation. This was hard for Jeff.

“I don’t hate you,” he finally said.

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t understand—”

“You don’t understand?” Andrea interrupted. “Well, let me help you.”

“I don’t understand any of this. Why any of this stuff has happened. To my dad and to me.”

Andrea’s face dropped slightly. Any bit of anger she had was gone.

Jeff felt himself starting to cry. He quickly turned and walked away from Andrea.

He went inside and shut the door. Jeff didn’t even say hi to his dad. He just went into his room and sobbed into his pillow.

He didn’t want his dad to hear him. And he really didn’t want Andrea to follow him inside.

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