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“This is the Island of Caicos, and my property is on the south side of the Providenciales,” Simon said, responding to my question of just where in the heck we were. We’d gathered our group in the main building for supper that was supposed to be served momentarily. “I bought the place from an estate sale and really couldn’t pass it up. I spend all my free time, which is limited, here on the island.”
“It’s magnificent,” I said, sipping on the single beer Emily allowed me. She hadn’t wanted me to even have this one, but we were celebrating the reunion of my friends and family, so she conceded with a look that warned me about over-doing it.
Ceiling fans moved the warm air around but did little to cool the room. My host must have noticed the sheen of sweat on my face, because he motioned to a man in a white jacket who’d been ensuring that everyone’s drink remained full. The man began to open the shutters on the windows, and soon a cool breeze from the ocean filled the room. I nodded my appreciation.
Our group moved through the large room, each taking a turn talking to me and asking a hundred-and-one different questions. They had all been following my crusade across the country, and I felt proud for what I had accomplished with Simon and Jeremy’s support.
My grandson, Tyler, updated me on the grocery store I used to run and those employees I still knew. It was heartening to see how well Tyler had made the business his own.
My old crew sat together in a corner of the room, so I wheeled myself over. Using my rationed bottle of beer, I raised a toast to our reunion. Right away, Rita lit into me.
“Damn it, Donald. You refused the help of your oldest friends and then let Mr. Money-pants bankroll this whole tour.” She raised her hand when I tried to answer. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate him bringing us all down here. It’s you that needs to explain. We’ve been sitting on our butts wanting to help you, and you shut us down.”
The others nodded hesitantly.
“It was our war too, Donald,” Frank said quietly.
“And my people were the main victims,” Benny said, with Edith nodding at his words. “I’d like a chance to even the score.”
I bowed my head because I knew they were right. But with Jeremy’s death so recent and so close to my heart, I knew I could have never taken them up on their offer.
“I’d admit, when I first left, I was doing this for myself.” I looked around to see if anyone was close by. Gail was talking with Emily and that caused me concern, but I put it aside as I turned back to my friends. “You all know about the cancer. It’s why I was in a hurry to make my move. I only have so much time. After the success of the documentary, the rest was a blur. I wasn’t thinking about you guys. Yeah, I admit it; but I wasn’t thinking about myself either. Every couple of nights, it was a new town and a new group. They blended together until Portland, where Russell appeared, and this happened.” I banged my hand on the arm of my wheelchair.
“After that, all I was thinking about was the danger he posed,” I said. “But after Houston, I am truly glad you were not with me. What happened to those poor people—could have happened to you. It was hard enough losing Jeremy. I couldn’t bear to lose any of you.”
“Sugar, that’s sweet. But it should have been our decision to make.”
Decker leaned forward. “We’ve talked about it, Donald. From this point, we want to help.” He glanced at the others, who were nodding. “We’ve figured out how you’ve been aiming to rile this Russell guy up. Insulting him. Calling him out. So, just when and where is this showdown supposed to happen?”
It was Frank’s turn. “Answer me this, Donald. I can see you clench your gut every once in a while. Right? The cancer is eating away at you. Do you somehow hope that this fight might end that pain?”
His words stopped me cold. I hadn’t thought about it that way—or had I? I admit, I wanted Russell behind bars—or even dead by my hand. He was the head of the snake. After all the suffering he had caused and might cause in the future, it would be a fitting legacy before I checked out.
But, if I was being honest with myself, the end of the constant burning, the ever-growing ache in my back would be welcome relief. As the cancer progressed, I wasn’t under any illusion that the pain would lessen. It would get worse. Much worse. Emily and I had talked about it on more than a few occasions. Soon, I’d be unable to function, living the rest of my days sedated to the nines, oblivious to everything around me. That was no way to live. That was no way to die.
Dying for what I believed in was much more preferable.
I looked up. “Yeah, my pain might play a part, Frank. But my main reason is that it’s the right thing to do and there have been enough innocents hurt because of this animal.”
Their eyes lifted, and I knew someone was approaching. I felt a soft touch on my shoulder and Gail said. “This is supposed to be a party, but you guys look like you’re attending a funeral. Liven up!”
The group dropped all seriousness and awarded Gail their best smiles—but I knew the discussion was not over. I had a lot to think about.
Supper was served; and, as always, Simon proved to be a magnificent host. Serving staff, all in white jackets, set the table with gold-plated china and crystal wineglasses. Simon’s chef stood ready to carve a massive baron of beef to everyone’s preference. Gail took it upon herself to fill my dish with all my favorites, but frowned when Emily produced one of her green smoothies and poured the concoction into a crystal goblet.
“But Daddy, roast beef is your favorite,” she said as I moved the plate aside and picked up the goblet of green stuff.
I gave her a smile. “It smells divine, Gail, but my digestion hasn’t been the best lately. Emily’s smoothies are much easier on my system.”
She smiled back, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She knew something was out of place; and knowing her as I did, I knew she would not let it lie.
***
I WOKE SOMETIME DURING the night to the now-familiar burning throb in my stomach. Clutching my midriff, I rolled to my side to face the open patio door. Light from the moon showed a gentle breeze moving the white sheers in and out of the bedroom. The hiss of the sea climbing and retreating on the shore’s sand was like a whisper.
As my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I made out a figure sitting motionless in a chair at the foot of the bed. I could not see their face, but my throat caught.
Was it him? How did he find me in the middle of the goddamn ocean? The figure rose, and I stiffened, my mind searching for some way I could defend myself. But between my hip and the pain in my intestines, there was no way I could fight back. I lay like a bug, waiting for the shoe to drop.
A moan escaped my lips as another bout of pain twisted my guts. The figure moved forward and sat on the bed beside me. I was helpless as a hand reached towards me.
“Shhh. Deep breaths,” I heard. “I have your medicine, Dad.”
Gail!
My tension deflated into the mattress, and I almost sobbed with relief. Strong arms raised me into a sitting position as she propped up my pillow before gently lowering me back. From the bedside table, she picked up a small dish of pills and a glass of water and helped me take them, one by one.
As I settled and gained back my breath, I said, “How did you know?”
She pulled my bedsheets to my chest. “Did you forget what I did for almost forty years? I’ve been dealing with sick and dying people all my adult life. One look at you and I could tell that you hadn't been honest with me. You’ve lost a lot of weight, your skin color is off, and I’ve seen you grabbing your stomach. But when I saw your preferred supper, I kind of guessed the rest. Emily confirmed it once I twisted her arm.”
“She—”
She patted my arm. “Don’t worry, I can also see that she’s taking excellent care of you. What hurts is you wouldn’t let me do it for you.”
It was my turn to explain to her. “She came as part of the complete package. Simon insisted on it. Like you, she saw the signs and put me on a routine and pain management. As for you and Richard, I didn’t want you sitting around watching me deteriorate. You especially. You had enough of that for a lifetime. I told your mother...”
Tears had been tailing down her cheeks, but she let out a laugh. “You talk with Mom?”
“Every day,” I said, surprised that she found this strange. “Sometimes for hours; other times just for a minute or two—but she’s always there to listen. And y’know, if I listen real hard, I can hear her talk back.”
She reached out and caressed the side of my face. I could make out the sheen of her tears in the faint light of the night.
“What does she say?” Her voice was a whisper.
“That it won’t be long now, but that I don’t have to be afraid. But she understands I need to finish this before I’m with her again.”
“Does she talk about me?”
I chuckled. “Oh Honey, family was the center of her universe. You know that. She’s always going on about you and Richard and the kids. Never doubt that.”
We sat silently in the dark, the only movement the graceful sweep of the sheers.
“I need to finish this, Gail.”
She stared at me for a few moments before wiping her cheek. “I know Dad.” She laid her head on my chest and I stoked her hair like I did when she was a little girl.