“There’s nothing I can do, but go through my treatments and pray to get through this.”
“I wish there was a way I could take this pain from you.”
He grinned. “This is happening for a reason.”
“I would really like to know what that reason is because I don’t see the point of you going through this pain just for a reason!” I spoke bitterly.
“Calm down, Sweetheart. Everything will be fine. You just wait and see.” Dad grinned as I got up and hugged him.
“May God be with you and help you through this struggle.” I kissed my father’s cheek; something I haven’t done since I was ten.
He stopped me as I began to straighten my body back up and kissed my cheek. “I love you, Sara. I thank God for blessing me with you.”
I smiled. “I love you too, Dad.”
I sat back down and stared at my dad as he got lost in a TV show. He seemed happy which is very good considering what he was going through. My dad was so pale he could pass for a ghost! He was also very frail, and looked as if he would break in-half at the slightest touch. My eyes were showing me this unsightly view of my dad, but in my heart I knew he was strong as an ox and as happy as a baby laughing.
When Mom and Riley came back inside I told my dad and Riley good-bye then Mom drove me home. I peered out of the window with my mind in a blur as Mom drove in silence. When we arrived at my house Mom let Kaden take my bags out of the trunk, kissed me good-bye and hurried home.
“Did you have a good time?” Kaden questioned as I followed him to our bedroom dropping what bags I held onto the bed. Kaden set the bags he held on the floor then he sat beside me on the bed. “Did something bad happen while you were with your Mom?”
I faced Kaden as tears trickled down my cheeks. Kaden automatically hugged me. “What’s wrong, Sara?”
I pulled away from him. “The doctor’s found that my dad has stomach cancer,” I explained as more tears fell down my cheeks.
“I’m so sorry, Sara.” He hugged me. “Your dad is strong. I’m sure he’ll beat this.”
“My mom says she feels it’s too late and I think so too.”
“Oh, Sara, don’t think like that! Have some faith.”
“How can I have faith when my grandma was taken from me; and now my dad is on the verge of being taken away from me? Haven’t I been hurt enough?” I angrily stated.
“To get everyone’s mind off of this situation. Why don’t we invite your parents and sister to go to the beach with us?”
“I don’t know if he can go that far away right now; even though I’d love to do that for him, so why don’t we just throw him a surprise party for being such a great Dad.”
“Okay, give your Mom a call tomorrow to see what she thinks.”
“Now lets get these bags unpacked so I can see what the damage is to the account.” He chuckled.
After we finished unpacking my bags Kaden and I ate a delicious dinner; then we sat on the living room couch while we watched a movie. All I could think about was my dad. I wished every minute that this cancer he had would just disappear, like it never happened and everything would go back to normal. But I knew that wouldn’t happen no matter how much I wished it would. All I can do now is pray and hope God hears me pleading for him to cure my dad.
The next morning I awoke with a major headache. After Kaden gave me some Tylenol he gently rubbed my back as I laid back down giving the medicine time to work.
“I’m going to run some errands today. I’ll be back by lunch time. Don’t stay in the bed all day,” Kaden explained as he kissed me then he silently left the room. Hours later when Kaden returned he awoke me sighing as he sat beside me on the bed. “Sara, I’m not going to let you go into a depression like you did when your grandma passed away,” Kaden stated.
“It’s hard for me to be happy knowing my dad could be here one day and gone the next,” I replied sadly.
“He’s not going anywhere.”
“How would you know? Are you psychic?”
He smiled. “Can we stop arguing about this? You need to get up! It’s lunch time.”
I smiled as I got out of bed. “I see how it is. You only want me for my cooking.”
He chuckled. “Well, I have been meaning to tell you that the only thing I need you for is to cook for me, but your cooking has been so bad lately that I think it’s time to trade you in,” He joked.
I hung my mouth open as I playfully pushed him. “This shows me that I was being used for my cooking. I should have been charging you fifty dollars per plate and one-hundred dollars for labor.” I heard him laugh as I stuck my nose in the air as I walked to the bathroom, and that wasn’t the brightest thing for me to do because I walked right into the wall inches before the bathroom door.
Kaden ran to me. “Are you alright?” He quizzed as he checked my nose for bleeding.
“I think so, Kaden,” I replied as I held to my sore nose.
All of a sudden Kaden busted into laughter. I rolled my eyes at him and went into the bathroom.
After we ate lunch Kaden and I sat on the bench outside enjoying the weather as we watched the pugs play.
We weren’t sitting long before Kaden stood up and slipped his shirt off. “It’s really hot out today. I think we should go for a swim in the lake.”
I laughed. “That’s what the pool is for. I don’t want no fish or whatever else may be in that lake to bite me!” I explained.
“What would you do if I threw you in?”
“I’d drown you.”
He took off his shorts and shoes, picked me up in his arms and ran with me to the lake.
I screamed as I tried to get out of his arms, but it was no use. Kaden had tossed me into the air. As I went under the water I had to admit it felt so nice and cool. Once I popped up
Kaden didn’t give me time to get my breath before he splashed me which made me choke because some water went down my throat.
He pulled me to him as he patted my back. Are you okay?” Kaden asked worriedly.
“I’ll be fine as long as you stop beating my back,” I replied as I caught my breath.
“Now is it so bad?”
“Not as long as you’re here.” We kissed. But then I remembered my phone was in my pocket. I pulled it out and sucked in air. “Kaden, my phone is ruined! How am I going to call my mom and dad now?” Kaden chuckled. “This is not funny!”
He took my phone and threw it up in on the grass. “I can get you another phone, Sara.”
“I’ve had this phone forever.”
“They still make your phone or you could get a new one.”
“I don’t want a new phone! I want the one you ruined!” I cried as I got out of the lake and stormed through the house. As I stripped off my clothes in the bathroom Kaden stood in the doorway watching me.
“What’s wrong with you, Sara? I’ve never seen someone so mad over a phone when you can easily get another one,” Kaden stated.
I peered at him angrily. “My grandma bought me that phone! It can never be replaced.” I stepped into the shower.
“Sara, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had your phone on you.” I didn’t respond. “Sara?” I still didn’t answer him. “Sara, don’t be mad at me! You can’t hold this against me.”
“I can and I will.”
“I don’t know what else I can do to make you forgive me.”
“I’m not in the mood to accept your apology, so you can go now.”
When I heard the bathroom door shut I peeked out from behind the shower curtain and saw he was gone. When I was through showering and had put on dry, clean clothes I strolled into the living room to find Kaden sitting on the couch freshly showered with clean clothes on. I walked over to him and sat beside him.
“Look, I’m sorry I
got mad, but that phone was the only thing left that reminded me of my grandma,” I explained.
He picked up my phone off of the coffee table. “Here, as you were running in the house I picked it up for you,” Kaden stated as he handed me my phone.
I took the phone from him. “Thank you. I know you didn’t mean to do it.”
“I would never do something on purpose to hurt you and you know that.”
We embraced. “What do you want for dinner tonight?” I questioned as I stood up and placed my phone in my purse that was hanging on a kitchen chair.
“Surprise me.”
Tonight I cooked grilled chicken, brown rice and sweet corn. After we ate we cuddled on the couch as we watched a movie.
“I was surprised about what you cooked for dinner tonight,” Kaden said.
“Well, I guess I deserve a gold star then,” I grinned.
We kissed. “There’s your gold star.”
“I don’t mean to be greedy, but can I have another?” We smiled at each other as we kissed again.
“How do you feel about going out tomorrow to get you a new phone?”
“That would be nice!” I smartly replied.
“Did you call your Mom today to tell her about the party for your Dad?”
“No. I haven’t been able to think about doing anything lately because I’ve been worried about my dad.”
“Well, make sure you call your mom tomorrow.”
“I will. Are we having the party here or at their house?”
“I think we should have it here so we can just say we are having a BBQ so it’ll be a surprise like we planned it to be. If you have it at your Mom’s your Dad won’t be surprised.”
“That sounds reasonable! Do you think he’ll want to come?”
“Why wouldn’t he, Sara?”
“Because he might not feel up to it.”
Kaden hugged up to me. “Sara, he will do anything for Riley and you, I’m positive he’ll come.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am right.” He smiled as we kissed.
The next day I used Kaden’s phone to call my mom and dad. Mom answered on the first ring which scared me.
“Mom, is everything okay?” I asked worriedly.
“Yes, Sweetheart, I was just sitting close to the phone and answered it automatically.”
Mom replied.
“How’s Dad doing?”
“He’s doing well.”
“Kaden and I wanted to throw Dad a surprise party to let him know what a great dad he is and has been.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Sara! I’ll definitely keep this a secret. What should I tell your dad what the reason is for the party?”
“Just tell him Kaden and I are having a BBQ.”
“This is going to make your Dad’s day!” Mom sniffled.
“Awe, Mom. We want to do this because he deserves it. Dad and I had a rough relationship for a while, but now that we are close I feel cheated out of my Dad’s life. I know he’s strong and can overcome this.” Mom sniffled more. “Where is Dad at anyways? And Riley?”
“They’re asleep upstairs in my bedroom.”
“Give them both a big hug and kiss from Kaden and me.”
Mom giggled. “Kaden wants to gives kisses?”
I giggled. “You know what I mean.”
“I know, Sweetheart. I was just trying to make you laugh.”
“Well, you did and I appreciate that.”
“You made my day, Sara.”
“You go and spend time with Dad while I plan the party.”
“Do you want me to do anything?”
“Not at all, Mom,” I smiled.
“Are you sure?”
“I have it under control.”
“Of course you do. I was silly to ask.”
I grinned. “Thank you for offering your help, but I want to do this.”
“Okay, Sara. We’ll see you at the party.”
When we hung up I sighed as I smiled thinking of what great parents I had and what a sweet little sister I had. Kaden strolled in and kissed me. I handed him his phone back.
“How are they?” Kaden questioned as we headed outside with the pugs.
“They’re doing well. My mom is so excited about the party,” I replied as we sat on the bench.
Kaden grinned. “The question is can your Mom keep the secret?”
I playfully shoved Kaden. “Of course she can. Who ever said she can’t keep secrets?”
“No one did. You’re just imagining things now. I think I need to get you some help,”
Kaden teased.
“Oh, really! I need some help? I think I’m pretty normal.”
‘“No, I don’t think so. You have issues hidden behind that sweet face of yours.”
I playfully shoved him again, but this time I put a little more force behind the shove. “Okay, already. But I don’t have issues.”
He took my chin in his hand and kissed me. “I know you don’t.” He kissed me again then he rubbed my cheek and took my hand in his. “You know I love you.”
I laughed. “Of course. Why are you saying that?”
“You’re birthday is coming up and I know you want to have a party.”
“A small party and what’s this have to do with-”
“If you’d be patient I’d tell you. I asked you if you know I love you because I won’t be here for the most part of your birthday.”
“Oh, I see. You’re trying to butter me up. But this makes me sad. Why won’t you be here for my birthday?” I asked sadly.
“My dad has some important things for me to do and I tried to get out of it but-”
“But you are going to go because your parents said so?”
“No, I’m going to go because my Dad said this was something I couldn’t get out of.”
“Well, I am very angry that you won’t be here.” I stood up and stormed into the house. I went into our bedroom with the pugs and slammed the door behind me and locked it.
Moments later I head the doorknob jiggle then a knock seconds later. “Sara, please, please don’t be mad at me. I love you.”
I stared at the door with my arms crossed as I tapped my foot. “If you cared enough about me you’d tell your parents that you can’t come.” I claimed angrily.
“I already tried, Sara,” Kaden huffed.
“I can’t believe you are doing this to me!”
“Sara,” he sighed. “I tried my best to get out of it. Please open the door,
Sara.”
“No, Kaden, I’m really angry at you!”
“You have to come out eventually to let the pugs out and to cook dinner.”
“I can hold the pugs out of the window to pee and poop and you can cook your own dinner!”
“Sara, that’s just gross and you have to eat too.” I stood there as I realized I was being stupid. If Kaden has to go to Rome I need to somehow come to terms with it. I opened the door and hugged Kaden tightly. “I’m sorry, Sara.”
“Well, I’m still mad, but I will forgive you.”
He chuckled. “That doesn’t make any since, Sara.”
I giggled. “My words came out wrong, but you know what I mean.” We kissed. “I’ll fix us some sandwiches.”
“Aright, I’ll help you.” After we ate we watched a couple movies. After a while dinner time had rolled around. Once we were through with dinner we headed to bed.
“I thought we were going to get my phone today?” I quizzed.
“No, I decided I’d make you wait until your birthday,” Kaden replied.
“But I don’t have a phone, I need a phone.”
“Well, you’ll just have t
o wait until your birthday. It’s not far away.” I gave him an evil look. He kissed my cheek. “When does school start?”
“I think it starts the day after tomorrow.”
“Are you ready to go back?”
“No, I really enjoyed Rome. I had so much fun there. It made summer fly by.”
“Well, when we get married you can soak up all of Rome 24/7.”
“Yeah, I wonder how Kyle is doing.”
“He’s fine I’m sure. He’s managed all his life to go without having someone to associate with.”
“I just feel bad for him.”
“He will be fine. He’s a big boy.”
“I miss my horse, but I’ll especially miss you when you’re working all the time.”
“I’m sure you do miss your horse. I can’t help that I have to work so much. You will have Kyle to entertain you so you won’t always be lonely.”
“I don’t want his entertainment. I want yours.”
“I’m sure you will find things to do to keep your mind busy.”
“That’s what you think.”
I rolled away from him and fell asleep as I thought about our argument today.
The next day Kaden and I got a late start on our day. Instead of getting up at eight we got up at ten. Kaden mailed the invitations for the party while I took care of everything else, but I was glad when Kaden came back to help me purchase the supplies from the store. Once we got back home it was close to three.
Kaden sat next to me on the couch. “I am feeling tired,” Kaden claimed.
“I feel you there,” I replied. “I won’t be able to get up in time for school tomorrow.”
Kaden gave me a nice try look. “I’ll make sure you get up.” He grinned.
I smiled. “Darn! I thought you’d let me stay home.”
“I’m not your Daddy, Sara, but I do expect you to finish school. You don’t have much longer and then you’ll be done.”
“You do have a point. That would really suck if I had gone back to school next year.”
He chuckled. “Have you thought of what you want to major in? College is right around the corner.”
“I had my mind made up at one point, but I have a couple of choices to choose from.”
Love Goes On Page 26