“No.” I rub my forehead, trying to thwart off the headache I can feel coming on. “His manager wants to hire me to be his sober companion on his upcoming tour for eight weeks.”
Her mouth opens and closes like a fish before she speaks. “What? That’s…”
“Weird as hell, right?”
She nods. “Very.”
“Safe to say there’s no way I’m doing it.”
“Right.” She makes a face. “Although…”
“Although what?” I ask when her voice trails off.
She waves a hand. “Nothing. Forget it.”
If only it were that easy.
Because God knows I’ve been doing everything in my power to forget that asshole and what he did to me.
CHAPTER 24
LENNON
“What are you making for dinner, Mom?”
Keeping my face neutral, I answer my dad’s question. “I was thinking chicken and veggies, but if you don’t want that, I can order out for pizza.”
He smiles. “Pizza sounds good.”
“Pizza it is then.”
Sometimes it’s a struggle not to correct him, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is his reality, and just because it doesn’t match mine doesn’t make what he’s experiencing any less valid.
Which means today…I’m my late grandmother. The other day I was a former teacher. And a couple of weeks ago, I was Joan Jett.
Although I didn’t mind that one so much.
The most important thing is that he’s in good spirits.
Even though I’m silently hoping he’ll remember I’m his daughter again soon. Just for a little while.
But even if he doesn’t…I’ll still find him wherever he is.
Because no matter who I am to him, he will always be my dad and the person I love most in this world.
“I’m tired,” he says. “I think I’m gonna take a nap before Kate gets home.”
Kate was my mom. I remember he once told me they briefly moved in with my grandmother shortly after they were married so they could save up for a down payment on this house, so that must be where his memories are taking him today.
“Okay. I’ll wake you up when the pizza gets here.” Leaning over, I kiss his cheek, feeling grateful he thinks I’m his mother right now because it’s safe to do so. “I love you.”
So much.
“I love you, too.” I start to leave, but he reaches for my hand. “I hope one day when I have kids, I’ll be a great parent like you.”
My heart cracks and a wave of sorrow drives over the jagged pieces like a steamroller. “You’re gonna be the best dad.”
He ponders this for a short moment before speaking. “You think so?”
I squeeze his hand. “I know so.”
I wait until I’m out of the room before I give in to my emotions and let the first tear escape.
Like most kids, I used to take my dad for granted. I thought he was too overprotective at times and didn’t know best, despite him always thinking he did when it came to me.
But God knows I’d give anything to hear him nag or give me advice again.
To hear him tell me he’s proud of the person I am, even though I’m not perfect and I don’t always make the right decisions.
That I’m doing a decent job of navigating this fucked-up thing called life without his guidance.
That it will get better.
That one day it won’t hurt so damn much.
After I’ve collected myself, I walk back downstairs. I find Mrs. Palma in the kitchen, washing the dishes.
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell her.
Lord knows the woman does way too much as it is.
She waves a hand. “It was only a few. Plus, I was bored and needed something to do.” Turning off the faucet, she looks at me. “How is he?”
“He’s good. Me, on the other hand? Not so much.” Frowning, I take a seat at the table. “Today, I was my grandmother, and he said he hoped he’d make a great parent just like her.”
“Oh, sweetie.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze before sitting in the seat across from me. “Take solace in the fact that it means he wanted you and being your father was important to him long before you were here.”
Somehow this woman always knows what to say to make me feel better.
“Yeah—” A knock on the front door cuts me off.
“Expecting any visitors?”
Getting up from the table, I shake my head. “Nope.”
I mutter a curse the moment I open the door.