Chapter 2 - What the Guests Saw
I had never heard fear in my father's voice like that.
"What red folder?" I asked softly.
His gaze moved toward Simone. He pressed his lips together and shook his head.
"Walter's confused again," she said. "That's what I've been trying to tell you."
"You can tell me after he eats."
I cut the chicken into manageable pieces and brought a glass of water. Dad's fingers trembled around the fork, but he didn't need help getting food into his mouth. He needed a chair, a meal, and someone who treated him like a person.
"Where were you all sitting when he fell?" I asked.
Nolan shrugged. "Didn't really see it."
"You were two feet away."
"I'm not his babysitter, man."
Dad put his fork down. "I didn't fall."
Silence pulled tight across the room.
"I asked for supper," he continued. "Simone said I could have what was left when the others finished. Biscuit got his chicken first. I told her I was hungry. She put the rice down there."
"Walter," Simone said sharply.
"She moved my walker. I tried to get the plate. I couldn't stand back up."
Carina rubbed her forehead. Judith watched him with the mild annoyance people reserve for a delayed flight. They had sat through this.
I turned to Simone. "Is that true?"
"He is being dramatic. He's angry because I won't let him sign things he doesn't understand."
That was the first time anyone had mentioned signing anything.
"What things?"
"His medical forms. Obviously."
I dialed the number for Dad's visiting nurse. My wife's expression changed as soon as she heard the ringing.
"Don't drag strangers into family business."
"You already dragged an old man under a table."
The call went to voicemail. I left a message asking for an urgent check on Dad. Then I photographed the floor, the empty plate, and the pantry, where his walker stood folded behind cases of bottled water. I checked its brakes before bringing it out.
Simone followed me into the hall.
"If you embarrass me in front of my family, Daniel, don't expect me to forgive you."
"If you humiliate my father again, don't expect me to be your husband."
At the far end of the hallway, our fourteen-year-old daughter, Mara, called from her school trip.
May you like
I answered on speaker while carrying the walker.
"Dad?" she said. "Mom told me Grandpa was taken to a nursing home yesterday. Why did he just text me from the house?"
