Page 30 of Finding Hayes
But cancer could be a wicked asshole most of the time. Every time I was hopeful, it seemed like something happened.
I knew he needed to try something different because nothing had been working thus far.
“I’m so happy you did that. I’m sure it felt good to get your creative juices back,” I said.
My father had been a successful journalist before his world got flipped on its ass. His wife had a very public affair right around the same time that he got diagnosed with liver cancer. We moved away, and he never quite found his footing after that. I resented my mother for the role she played in the deterioration of his life.
Yes, we still had a relationship.
She and Mr. Jones, the theater teacher at Magnolia Falls High School, moved to the city shortly after my father and I did. They had a son, my brother Harry, who I happened to adore.
They lived just a few miles from my apartment in the city, and my parents had actually repaired their relationship a bit over the last few years since his second diagnosis. My mother and her husband, Ben, checked in on my father often.
Dad had moved past the anger and the hurt somehow, so I’d tried to do the same.
But I still held a lot of resentment toward her for what she’d done to his life. To my life, and that was something I was trying to let go of.
My brother, Harry, played a huge role in me moving forward with my mother.
“Yes. I actually started writing a few months ago. I just hadn’t told you yet because I didn’t know if it would amount to anything. But it’s coming along. I’m writing a novel.”
“Dad,” I said, feeling the lump form in my throat. It was the first time I’d heard him truly excited about something that didn’t involve me or Nadia in a very long time. “That’s amazing. I can’t wait to read it.”
“It’ll be a while, but you’ll be the first. I promise.” He paused, and I could tell he was drinking something. He worked hard to stay hydrated most days, as this latest round of chemo depleted him so much. “Enough about me. Tell me about Magnolia Falls. Have you run into anyone?”
We both knew what he was asking. He and Hayes had always been close. My father had taken him under his wing, as Hayes’s father had left them and cut off all contact.
“Yes. I’ve seen Hayes several times. In fact, we’re going to have dinner tonight.” I had to start selling the idea of Hayes and me as a couple. My father would never support me fake marrying someone for money. Hell, I didn’t even support the idea, but it was for the greater good, so I’d get over it.
“It’s always bothered me that your friendship ended after we moved away. I truly thought that friendship was one that would last forever. You two were so close. Hayes was part of our family. I always blamed myself for moving away and coming between you two.”
I tried to push away the heaviness that was settling on my chest. I’d never shared with my father what had happened. He’d been dealing with a hell of a lot more than learning that your best friend didn’t want to be bothered with you anymore.
I was certainly not going to add to his burden.
So, I dealt with it alone.
I dealt with everything alone.
The brutal divorce my parents went through.
My mother having a torrid affair with one of my high school teachers and the whole town finding out.
My father’s cancer.
Completely uprooting our lives and moving away with no notice.
Leaving Abe and Lily and a part-time job that I’d loved.
And the loss of my best friend.
“It’s part of life, Dad. People move on. But it’s really nice seeing him again.” How was I going to explain that I’d married him in such a short time? “He looks really good. I think he’s actually flirting with me.”
I knew my dad would love this juicy tidbit.
“Oh. I always thought he liked you as more than a friend, if I’m being honest. And he never seemed happy with that girl he dated the last few months before we left.”
The devil.
