☆Home Without Dad☆
1436 Words
Talia and her siblings sat down at the hospital cafeteria having their dinner when Dr Jameson walked to their table.
“Hey, kids. Talia, may I speak with you for a minute?”
Talia quickly dabbed her mouth and got up. “Dr. Jameson, should I be worried?” she was scared something else had happened to her father.
“No, I want to talk about something else,” Dr. Jameson said.
“Alright then.” She faced the triplets. “Let me speak with Dr. Jameson for a bit, I’d be back right now, okay?” They nodded.
Dr. Jameson and Talia started to walk. “So, what do you want to talk about, Doctor?”
“I don't mean to pry but, is there no other family member who can make the decision concerning your dad’s health?”
“No,” she said. “ My parents grew up in a foster home, they are both orphans. The only family they ever had was each other and us children. After my mother died, Dad was left with just us as his family. So there's no one else. But, why do you ask such a question when I'm here, doctor? I'm legal and old enough to make decisions concerning my father's health.”
“I'm afraid that you might not be able to make the right decision when the time comes,” Dr. Jameson said.
“You underestimate me, doctor. I don't let my feelings cloud my judgement. When it's time to pull the plug on my dad, I will not hesitate to give permission because I know you must have done all you can,” Talia said, not batting an eyelid.
Dr. Jameson was impressed. “Okay, if you say so. I just wanted to be sure we won't have a problem if it comes to that.”
“We're good, doctor. Trust me. Is that all? Cause I need to go back to my siblings.”
“Yes. That will be all for now,” Dr. Jameson smiled lightly. He found her strength motivating. He could see how broken she was, but she was staying strong despite that.
“Dr Jameson!” Talia called. She was already walking to her seat when she remembered.
“Yes?”
“Can I go back home with my siblings? It’s already getting late and they need to be in bed for school tomorrow.”
“Why do you need my permission to go home?” Dr. Jameson asked.
“You are my dad's doctor and only you can tell me if my dad is stable enough to be left all alone without any supervision,” She was worried.
“Talia, you are free to go home. The nurses here are really good at their job. They will definitely take good care of your dad. And if there's any change in his condition, you will be the first to know,” Dr. Jameson smiled at her again, His eyes assuring.
“Thank you, doctor.” She returned the smile and went back to her seat. As she sat, she noticed the triplets looking at her desperately.
“ Oh no, have I grown a beard? Do you find me amusing?” she grinned at them.
“No.” they answered in sync.
“Then what is it? Cause if you three keep staring at me like that, you might dig a large hole in my face.”
“What did the doctor want?” Jackie asked.
“Nothing, Jackie. He just wanted to let me know that dad was in a stable position and I was free to go home.”
“Just that?” Jace frowned. “He could have said that here. Why did he have to pull you to a corner?”
“Look are you three interrogating me," She feigned a laugh. “Jace, you guys aren't old enough for doctor Jameson to be talking about Dad's condition in your presence. There really is no need to worry, okay? Everything is fine.”
“Do you really mistake us for fools, Talia?” Jace glared at her.
“No, baby. I would never do that.”
“It's okay guys, there's no need to come for her. Let's finish eating up our dinner then head back home,” Jamal patted his brother’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” Talia mouthed.
Jamal moved closer to her and whispered into her ears. “I know you lied, but I believe you did for a good reason. Tell us when you are ready.” She looked at him and smiled fondly. He was such a mature kid. He smiled back.
****
They got home, the Triplets bolted out of the cab with so much happiness. Talia quickly paid their cab fare. She didn’t want to relive the hospital drama again.
“Guys, stop running!”
Of course, they ignored her and continued running around.
“Oh my God, what am I going to do with them?” She heaved. As she got to the entrance of their home, she stopped. Her countenance become gloomy as she reminisced about the past. How her dad was always at the door welcoming her whenever she came back home from school. She just couldn't comprehend that in less than five hours, everything had changed for all of them.
Jamal’s scream was what brought her back to reality.
“What's going on? Why are you yelling, Jamal?” She said walking towards the direction the kids where. When she got there, she saw blood gushing from Jamal’s knee.
She quickly rushed towards him. “Jamal, what happened? How did you hurt yourself?” She sat on the floor and pulled him into her arms.
“It's Jackie. He pushed me,” Jamal sobbed.
“I didn't push him intentionally,” Jackie defended.
Talia ignored him and asked Jace to get the first aid kit. After she was done taking care of Jamal’s injury, she asked Jace and Jackie to come join them in the living room. They both sluggishly walked down from the stairs, grumbling as they took their seat.
“We are here,” Jace said.
Talia stared at them in silence for a minute. She then took a deep breath.
“Talia, what is it?” Jackie asked.
“Yes, what's the issue Lia?”
As Talia heard the name Jace called, she almost broke down in tears. That was their father’s pet name for her. She swallowed hard and refused to cry.
“We all know dad had an accident, and the doctor said he has to be there for a while. Which means Dad isn't coming home anytime soon.”
“Yes, we know.” Jamal answered, while Jace and Jackie nodded.
“The four of us have to come to an understanding on how we are going to manage ourselves around the house. So, no running around at home, no fighting or pushing yourselves please. I can't be worrying about Dad and still be worrying about you three. I know you guys can handle yourselves, plus try to make things easier for the housekeeper by being a little less messy and putting your stuff where it's supposed to be. Do you understand?”
“Yes, we do.” Jackie answered. “But, what about your school, Talia?”
“I'm going to take a year off so I can focus more on dad and you guys.”
“We can always call grandma Lucy to come live with us while you go back school,” Jace mentioned.
“No, we won't call that vile woman,” Talia blurted. “Have you forgotten what she did when mother was ill? She almost sold you three so she could get some coke. I am not allowing that woman step her feet into our home. Plus, she is just mother's foster parent.”
“I agree with Talia,” Jackie said, “Grandma Lucy is bad news, we are better off without her.”
“Thank you. Now it's time for bed, you got school tomorrow, Talia planted kisses on their foreheads.
As they stood up to leave to their various room, Talia called Jace.
"Jace," She called out.
“Yes?” He turned.
“Sleep in your room. Don't go around disturbing your brothers in their room,” she said.
“Uhm, when have I ever done that?”
“Every single night!” Jackie and Jamal answered in sync.
“Yeah, right.” Jace scoffed and rushed to his room.
They others stayed behind, laughing as they watched him run.
- Writer
