“Hey,” I quietly replied, pushing the curtain aside. His eyes had sunken and it seemed the crows’ feet had traveled even further. He smiled painfully.  “How are you feeling?” I asked, taking a seat next to him.

       “I feel fine…” He sounded honest.

       “Dad,” I began.  “I feel horrible…I put too much stress on you and this is what happened.” A tear shimmied down my cheek.

       “No you didn’t.”

       “Wha—

       “I’m old. What do you expect? You were right. What am I going to do when something like this happens again?  I doubt that Mary will leave her poodle all alone,” he laughed. “I didn’t know why I chose to be stubborn. It isn’t like me to allude away from common sense. If mom were here, you’d be getting the praises and me, well, I won’t only be wearing the dunce cap.”  

       “Mom wouldn’t scold you,” I argued. “She’d love you no matter where you chose to live. Even if it meant staying put.”

       “Exactly, so I was thinking—“ he broke off.

       “Yes?”

       “I was thinking that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to change up the view. I hear that there is a suburb right outside your city; very nice.”

       “So you’re?”

       “Yes.” I stood up quickly and then without the slightest hesitation, grabbed my dad and held him. I felt his shaking fingers wrap themselves around my shoulders. He breathed lightly.  And I just couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. I felt dad shudder under me from his own tears.

       “That’s two now,” he pointed out.

       “What?” I asked confused, lifting my head.

       “That’s two; two arguments that you’ve won.”

       “Oh!” I laughed.

       “Wanna go for three?” he asked.

       “Sure, why not.” I smiled. “Just as long as you promise it doesn’t involve near death experiences.”

       “I promise.”