From nothing to everything

as if her brain had been working all night, a plan of action formed.

In the living room, next to the couch, she found Dad's Smartphone and scro

"Hello?"

ing. I'm sorry it's so early but I need

ompany, short and portly, always quick with a smile, with a wife and four kids and, according to Dad, indispensable to

shoe boxes of photos, rifling through others to find old videos. Satisfie

with knowledge. Maybe it would spark a memory. Maybe

eggs with bacon - lots of bacon - and

gh new eyes. What would Dad think about it? Would he like gardening as muc

the thoughts, with breakfast almo

g over the edge, and wearing pajamas; he never wore pajamas, alway

up and be his old self. He didn't respond. She shook him harder

lle, r

through her.

eyes clouded. "

s evaporated. "I've made bre

and stretched. "That's

asked, "Aren't you going to shower?" H

be l

furniture in the living room, and in the kitchen, while Michelle made scrambled eggs, he insp

she said, pointin

nd a mug and poured. Back sitting at the

want milk

ng, he went to the fridge, poured milk into the mug,

ugar," Michel

how I d

-hu

any su

he added, "Up in that cupboard," nod

s, sipped and frow

mused with his reaction. And "Yuck?

ee, he sat, looking around. "D

ept for the study and kitchen

I can

gs onto the plates, adding bacon and English muffins. She pa

d

er, but he said take it slow. After we eat,

her, then no

l them she wouldn't be coming, then decided not to. Dad

explaining each. At first, he just listened and looked. Eventually, he started a

iked driving

are in the st

still

ou gave it up w

r photo, he asked softly, "Was s

g in her throat. "Yes. She was al

id she

vaged by leukemia, so weak, and still with her loving smile, her soft eyes. The smell of the room came back in a flash. The feeling of Mom holding her, caressing her hair, whisperin

sitting in the hard plastic seat outside Mom's room and seeing Dad emerge. She'd known immediately.

che

ls. He couldn't remember. It was better for him. Picking up another photo, she tried to bring br

. I look like a do

born in Japan and moved here when she was two years

'd like to talk." Looking at h

as of la

old a

. "I'm not sure.

ork?" h

ed. He said not to worry. He has everything under control." When confusion app

dded.

t occurred to her that today she'd talked to Dad longer than she ever had in her life, and strangely, it felt good. She felt bet

ell'

I had images to think about; my wife, our life, Michelle. I had knowledge about someone els

and an ordinary husband, and provided for my family quite well, j

work doing something I knew nothing

d responsibilities; a daug

Today, she'd been articulate, calm, and smiled a couple of times. She'd shown maturity, coping in the face of what must be a

stern and demanding? Had I been a go

have a plan, a focus, a goal. Like drifting in a raft in the middle of the oc

relieved much of my stress. I liked her. Talking h

rn all about her, reintroduce myself to my daughter.