Chapter 7 - The Confrontation
On the fifth day, Dad bypassed the nurses.
He pushed through the heavy wooden door, looking ten years older.
His clothes were rumpled, his face unshaven.
“Leo,” he choked out, standing at the foot of my bed.
Claire instantly stood up, blocking his path.
“I said stay out, Richard.”
“He’s my son, Claire!
I have a right to see him!”
“You lost that right when you watched me suffocate and told me to stand up straight,” I said loudly.
The room fell dead silent.
Dad looked at me, tears streaming down his face.
“I didn’t know, Leo.
I swear to God, I thought you were just acting out.
If I had known—”
“If you had known, you would have treated me like a human being?” I cut him off.
“You’re my father.
You’re supposed to protect me.
Instead, you let Aunt Susan drug me so I could pack up Mom’s things faster.
Get out.”
“Leo, please—”
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“I said get out!” I yelled, the heart monitor beginning to blare.
Nurses rushed in immediately, grabbing Dad by the arms and dragging him into the hallway as I gasped for air, Claire rubbing my shoulder to calm me down.
