All I Ask(78)

I smile. All the kids went there and I never did. If I wanted to make out with a girl, it wasn’t going to be surrounded by ten other kids. But if that’s the only way I could’ve kissed Teagan, I would’ve been there with bells on.

Me: Maybe I didn’t have the right girl.

Teagan: And you do now?

Me: Damn right I do.

Teagan: I might just let you touch my boob for that one.



Teagan makes me feel like a teenage boy. I’m standing here, smiling as I look at the phone like I’m the luckiest bastard alive, and I am.

I put it down and head into the clinic. My father is putzing around, opening cabinets and looking in the wrong places.

“You okay, Dad?”

“Huh? Who’s there?”

Shit. He’s out of it. His eyes are glazed over and his hands are shaking. “It’s me—Derek. I asked if you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I can’t find my thing.”

“What thing?”

“The thing that I use for the cats when they have their babies.”

My father has had two pretty bad episodes in the last year. Once, my mother found him down by the beach where he had no recollection of the night. It was like he was in a trance. Then, two months ago, he woke up frantic. He couldn’t remember who my mother was and thought she was an intruder.

I’d never heard my mother so distraught. That’s when I knew I had to come home. My father can’t be working if he can’t remember who he is.

“I’ll help you look, Pop.”

He nods. “Did you know there’s a bunch of horses in the stalls?”

“We’re helping the rescue for a bit.”

“Oh.” I hate hearing the disappointment in his voice. He’s been a great father my entire life. I wanted to be like him, which I guess I’ve done my best to become. I’d like to think I’m honorable, caring, and I definitely share the same passion for animals, but he’s more than that. When I was young, he always made time for me. He was at my baseball games, even though he didn’t care for sports. I never had to wonder if he was going to show up for anything that mattered.

I’ve tried to be that kind of father for Everly, but I’m sure I’ve fallen short. Too many times I had an emergency that I had to go to as a young veterinarian. I was building a practice and sometimes that meant I had to sacrifice.

I regret that.

“You know, Pop?” I draw his attention as we keep looking for a thing which I have no idea which thing it is. “I could really use your advice.”

“Yeah? What about?”

“I like this girl,” I confess.

“You and Teagan, huh?”

I stop moving and watch him.

“What? You and that girl have been in love since you were kids, even if you were both too blind to see it.”

“You think so?”

He smiles a little. “I never understood why you married Meghan anyway. She wasn’t the girl for you, son.”

I have no idea if he’s fully back with me or he’s still confused. “Do you think Teagan is?”

“Only you can answer that.”

“Evasive as ever, Pop.”

“A man has to make his own choices.”

I’ve made plenty that I wish I’d chosen differently.

“You’re a smart man, anyone tell you that?”

My father walks closer, and touches my shoulder. “I married a smart woman.”

And there he is, the man who loves my mother more than anything. “Mom is pretty special.”

His head shakes as he looks down. “I forget sometimes.” His voice is full of shame. “I don’t remember things, important things, and I don’t want to forget her.”

A part of my heart breaks. No one in this world deserves this, but least of all him. He’s been the pillar of strength and someone to admire. My mother and father have loved each other more than anything.

I grip his hand, waiting for his eyes to meet mine. “She knows it’s not you. Mom loves you and remembers enough for the both of you.”

A tear forms in his green eyes, but he wipes it away. “Marry that girl, Derek. Marry the girl who you’d cry over if you forgot her. Marry the girl who even when your brain can’t remember, your heart does.”

“That’s my plan, Pop. I just have to get her on board.”

He pats my shoulder and leaves the room.

I look at my messages and there’s one from a client who is having issues with her horse. I grab my bag and head out the door, thankful to have something to do other than think.

On the ride over, I drive down Main Street, and see a girl who looks an awful lot like Chastity carrying a bookbag. I pull over, roll the window down, and call out her name. “Chastity?”

She can’t hide the shock in her eyes quick enough. “Oh, hi, Dr. Derek.”

“Do you need a ride?”

She shakes her head quickly. “No, no, no, I’m just walking.”

I’m not buying it. “Where? I thought you were working on the project with Everly?”

“We were. We finished a few minutes ago so I’m going…to the…to the McCutchreys’ store. I need to get something.”

She really needs to work on her storytelling if she’s going to lie. “That’s where I’m heading, hop in.”