Chapter 3 - Dave

I’m trying to focus on what Pop is saying but his words are blurring together. She’s here, in this house. Taking care of Pop. Is this some sort of way to ease her guilt? Is this some sort of joke? I don’t understand how she could take this job in good faith, knowing the past that our two families have. How could she think that was a good idea? Unless this was some twisted way of getting to me?

“Are you ok, Davey?” Pop says to pull me out of my head. I gulp.

“Yeah, sorry Pop. I’m fine. Just, wasn’t expecting to see her here, is all.”

Pop nods slowly. “I know you’re worried about me, son. But let me tell you something. I know that her family had a part to play in the accident.” He holds up his hand as I start talking and I have no choice but to stay silent. “I’m not going to let you get rid of her. She’s turned this house around and given me more comfort in my old age than any one else has been able to. She hasn’t been a minute late on any of my medication and she checks in with my doctor every day. She’s the best damn nurse I’ve ever had. I’ve had enough of them to know that she’s one in a million.”

His eyes are hard and steely. I can see the old Pop in them, the one that took care of me. He’s clear-headed and determined. I know I won’t change his mind, so I nod.

“Ok, Pop.”

I can’t believe I’ve just agreed to that. It’s unusual for me to give in to someone so easily. Usually I’m the one telling other people what to do.

But with that two-word sentence, Izzy Daniels has officially passed her probationary period as my grandfather’s live-in nurse.

“Now, that’s out of the way.” Pop leans back in his chair and closes his eyes for a second. “Tell me about you, Davey. Any women in your life?”

I glance up at my grandfather and see a spark in his eye. For some reason this sounds like more than a simple question.

“I’ve been busy with work lately. Not much time for women.” I glance up and grin. “You know, enough time, but nothing serious.”

Pop nods and smooths his shirt down with his wrinkly hands. He glances up at me again.

“It might be time to get serious, Davey.” His voice is quiet but completely serious. I frown, waiting for him to go on. “There’s something I need to tell you about your inheritance.”

Pop pauses, watching my reaction. I try to keep my voice steady and my face neutral.

“Ok, sure. What is it?”

“Before your father and mother passed away, they set up a trust fund for you. They wanted to make sure your kids and grandkids would be provided for. It would become available to you when you turned thirty-five.”

“So, this year.”

“This year.” He pauses, flicking his clever blue eyes at me. I can feel my eyebrows knitting together as I try to make sense of what he’s telling me. “There’s just one condition to you having access to the money, besides your age.”

I nod. “Ok, what is it?”

Pop grins and then suddenly starts laughing. My confusion reaches a peak and I start chuckling along with him. “Come on, Pop, just tell me,” I plead with him between laughs. “What’s going on?”

“Your mother had some twisted sense of humour,” he says with a wink. “I always thought my son made a good choice with her.” He laughs again and it turns to a cough. I reach over and hand him the glass of water on the side table next to him. He takes a long drink and places the glass down with a shaky hand.

“Ah, thank you,” he says, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The arthritis in his fingers makes his hand permanently curled up like a claw.

I stare at him and wait for him to continue. He takes a long, slow breath and I feel the anticipation and impatience growing inside me. They had a trust fund for me?? What could this condition possibly be?

Pop glances at me and smiles. “No sense beating around the bush. Davey, you have to be married to get the money.”

“I… what?”

Did I just hear that right? I have to be married?? What could that possibly have to do with anything? My parents never seemed like the traditional type, why would they write that in as a condition!

My jaw is on the floor. There are too many things going on right now, from Pop’s declining health to Izzy being here and now this??? I thought we were having steak and cigars, not steak, cigars and long-hidden family secrets!

Pop shrugs. “I’ve spoken to the lawyer, but the way the document is written means there’s no way around it. Unless you’re married you get nothing. With my health the way it is…” Pop trails off and stares out the window. “I was trying to give you time, to let you find your own way. But Davey, if you don’t get married before I go, the money will be tied up in my affairs and you’ll lose most if it. Son, I love you.”

His eyes are misting and he stares into my face meaningfully. “I’m dying, Davey. I don’t have long.”

“Pop, don’t say that, come on -“ I start. Pop puts up a hand.

“When you get to my age you’ll know what it feels like to know you’re on the way out.” Pop grins. “I’m just a shrivelled up old man now. You’re in your peak, and it looks like you’ll have to get busy finding a wife.”

Before I have time to respond, the door swings open and Izzy pokes her head in. Her hazel eyes shine brightly as she looks over at me. Just as quickly as our eyes meet she looks away.

“Dinner is ready!”

“Thank you Isabelle,” Pop answers. “We’ll be right in. Help me out of this chair, will you Dave? I never thought it would be this difficult to stand up on my own.”

“Of course, Pop,” I say, standing up to help him out of the plush chair. I can’t manage to say anything else right now. My head is spinning and I know that life as I know it is about to change forever.