Chapter 22
Andy was sitting propped up in bed with a magazine open on his lap when Nora and Theo came into the room. He dragged his spectacles off his face when he saw them and Nora noticed the grave look on his face.
“How are ya, Andy?” Theo asked, walking around the bed to the other side, while Nora lingered near the door. She was afraid of them being able to hear her heart beating out of her chest. She wasn’t prepared to have this conversation with her dad, especially not now when he was still recovering. There was no telling how this could affect his heart.
Nora couldn’t believe that Juliet…or possibly a different friend had told him this rumor in the middle of his recovery.
“You should have a seat, Theo,” Andy wasn’t looking at his daughter much which filled her with even more dread.
“What’s going on, Andy? This all sounds very mysterious and serious,” Theo said, grinning at his friend and Nora wondered if he had any fear of where this conversation could be leading. If he did, he was making a good show of being confident in himself.
Nora could feel her hands quivering as she clasped them together, and while she kept her face focused on her dad, she was also keeping a watch on Theo from the corner of her eyes.
“It is serious,” her father said and Nora gulped.
“Dad, maybe we should talk about it in a few days when you’re feeling better,” she said, approaching him with a forced smile on her face. Andy looked at her, his face was downcast and he was blinking hard.
“This can’t wait, Nora,” he said and she stopped in her tracks. This was going to break his heart. He wouldn’t have seen it coming. He’d hate his best friend, lose Theo and probably never forgive Nora either.
“Yes, it can, dad. We can have this conversation later,” Nora said and Theo was the one who interrupted her.
“Let him speak if he wants to. There’s no point in him sitting here and stewing in his thoughts. Go ahead, Andy,” he said and she gulped again.
Andy took in a deep breath, and she looked from Andy to Nora and then back at him again.
“I want to make sure that if it ever comes to it, I don’t want you to resuscitate me. Just let me pass away in peace, and not surrounded by doctors and poked with needles and pipes,” Andy’s voice had become very somber and soft and a gasp escaped Nora’s lips. Even though this was a very serious matter, she was relieved.
“Oh, daddy,” she sank to the floor and clasped his hand and held it up to her cheeks.
“It’s what I want honey, and I want you both to know that so that you can work accordingly,” he said and stroked the top of her head. Nora could feel her eyes well up with tears and she nodded her head.
“Whatever you want, buddy,” she heard Theo’s voice.
“And I know I don’t have to say this, especially not to you Theo, but when I’m gone I hope that you both can take care of each other…you know, be there for each other,” he continued and another cry escaped Nora’s lips.
“Andy, this was just a minor scare…you have a long and healthy life ahead of you, my friend,” Theo said and Nora looked up at his handsome and kind face, and felt like she was even more in love with him. Because of how much her father loved him too.
“I just wanted to get this over with, say these things in case I didn’t get a chance again,” Andy said and Nora straightened up and smiled down at her father.
“Theo is right dad, this is not the time to talk about all this,” she said and met Theo’s eyes. He had a look of relief on his face as well, even though he was doing a good job of hiding it.
“And you don’t have to worry about us, Andy…I will always be there for Nora,” he said, looking straight at her, and she felt like he was touching her soul. She was sure that he was telling the truth, no matter what happened between them. There were so many things that she would have liked to say, but she couldn’t get the words out.
“I love your daughter,” he added, in a deep voice and Nora choked, trying to suppress the gasp. They were staring at each other, ignoring the presence of Andy in the room. What did that mean? What was Theo saying?
She gulped, licked her dry lips and opened her mouth to speak.
“I have to leave now, Andy. You take care of yourself. I’ll come visit you tomorrow again old boy,” Theo said and slapped her father’s back.
Without exchanging another look with her, he was gone from the room, shutting the bedroom door behind him. Nora made a move to follow him. She needed an explanation for what he just said, but her father had caught her wrist.
“Nora…” he said, in a breathy raspy voice and she turned back to him trying to smile through the tears of frustration that were forming in her eyes.
“Yes, daddy…” she replied.
“Theo is a good man. I’ve known him practically all his life. He’s known you since you were a child,” he said and Nora’s brows crossed as she stared at him, her heart racing in her chest. “But he could hurt you, honey, without meaning to,” he added and Nora’s lips parted in surprise. She didn’t have to ask him to clarify to know exactly what he was talking about. He knew, and this was his way of giving his approval, and at the same time, warning her.
“I love you daddy,” she said, falling on him to give him a tight hug. She couldn’t have asked for a more understanding parent.