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“Nadia has wonderful news, too.” Xander elbowed me.
“Something besides the year’s best?” Mom trilled in an upbeat tone. Dad smiled expectantly.
“I’ve also been selected for a Givenchy internship this summer. It would be for six weeks in Paris, so I’d only be home for a short visit before I’d need to go.”
Mom screamed and hugged Dad. “Our angel is a star!”
Dad teared up, and my heart panged. “I’m so proud of you.”
I beamed at him. “Thank you, Dad. I’m still in shock.”
“Oh, wait. I’ll be right back.” Mom called and moved out of sight of the camera. She returned less than a minute later wearing a scarf and hat to show off her purchase from Xander’s online store.
“Oh, Agata, you’re so sweet. You bought my stuff,” Xander said and blew her a kiss. “I would’ve sent it to you.”
“Of course. I have to let the world know my kids are going places.” She threw the scarf over her shoulder playfully.
My heart swelled. That was Mom. If good news happened to one of us, she’d pull up the next person to make sure they felt equally included. “Maybe you can both visit and stroll down theChamps Elysée?”
“Oh, I’m too old to do that,” Mom said and flushed.
“No, you’re not. You can do anything, honey,” Dad said and took her hand. “But I’m not eating snails.”
We all laughed at him.
“We have some more news. Our doctor recommended a specialist in Texas, so we’ll be spending time there over the summer,” Dad announced gazing at Mom.
My eyes flicked between Mom and Dad, and I tensed. “A specialist? But you just said you’re doing well?”
I scanned over Dad again. He’d been sick so long; separating his illness from how he appeared healthy was hard. My heart ached, I dropped my shoulders, and my head turned downward.
“Look at me, princess,” Dad asked, and I did. “I’m feeling better than I have in a long while. It’s the doctors that are trying to earn a new boat.” He grinned and gave me a wink. But I didn’t buy it.
“Your dad’s right, honey,” Mom added. “He’s doing better, but the doctor referred Dad to a gastroenterologist to check up on his liver. He was concerned after an MRI, but doctors are always cautious.” Her tone was upbeat, and her grin broad. However, her eyes were vacant.
I frowned.“But why do you have to go all the way to Texas? Surely there is someone you can see at home, Dad?”
Dad shrugged and put on his poker face.
Mom waved her hand dismissively. “We’re fine, Nadia. We’re adults. You need to let us take care of ourselves.”
“We’ve got Cousin Jenny there, and she said we can stay with her. But I bet fancy pants will put us in a five-star hotel,” Dad teased and coughed.
I frowned. “An MRI and now a specialist out of town? That’s not what they said would happen or what happened last time. You’re not back to dialysis full-time, are you, Dad?”
I knew from the past that Dad had to return when his body rejected the kidney.
“No, and boy, are you so suspicious,” Dad said and chuckled. “Are you becoming a doctor too?”
“We’re leaving no stone unturned this time,” Mom said and kissed Dad’s cheek. He squeezed her hand and smiled. “The dialysis is an extra precaution. Your dad’s better…anyway. You can’t believe who’s coming to Summer Fest this year.” She changed the subject to stop my questions. From their tense expressions, I understood they had no more answers.Or any they cared to share with me.Dad was not out of the woods.They are going to Texas, but what about Mom’s job?
“Wait, Mom. What about your job at the hospital?”
“I’ve been offered early retirement,” she said casually, and her eyes shifted away and gazed far off in the distance. “I’ve been there for over twenty-five years, so I’ll still get my pension.”
I frowned. “Not much if it’s early.”
“They offered severance, too, and I’ve sold the fancy van. We’ll be fine. Now, let me tell you who’s coming. Big Bang, The Dustbins, oh, and Roxy Heart.” Her words came out so fast I could barely keep up. I wanted to slow her down to talk about these changes.
