Weird how we both stood there a long moment in awkward silence, him just staring at me, while I reached for something to say, before landing on the obvious.
"Pamela," I blurted, holding up my phone. "She's okay."
I was expecting at least some small acknowledgment but the wave of relief that passed over his face surprised me. Dad joined me, read the email, handed back the phone with a grin.
"Leave it to Pam," he said. And tossed the cell to the bed beside Petunia who sniffed it like it didn't matter one little bit to her.
And, I guess, in that moment, it didn't.
Dad sat down on one side of her, pushing my phone away, pulling me down on the other side, holding my hands in his. He was silent a long moment, cleared his throat, tried to speak. Stopped. Tried again. All the while not meeting my eyes, his face turning red, throat working.
I finally leaned in and hugged him and he embraced me back, the familiar comfort of his arms enough to make me cry.
Sorry, Mom.