Arriving at the Taylor residence.
Evan takes the canned goods from my hands at the trunk.
"This is heavy, let me carry it."
Nathan, playing in the yard, stares at us before dashing into the house.
"Dad, Sister is here."
Before entering, I pause, studying Evan's back.
In the photo album I made, there's a picture of me with my parents. Once, I saw him touch Dad's image, his eyes filled with a strange emotion, almost like hatred.
I'd once indirectly asked if he knew my father.
He'd used work as an excuse, avoiding the topic.
Snapping back to the present, I follow.
"Sister is here?"
Father looks towards the entrance, his tone eager.
"Jane, come out! Hannah is here!"
A woman in an apron rushes out of the kitchen, my stepmother in name.
"You are so kind that bring us so many gifts. Give it to me. You two can go sit in the living room. Wait a few times and we can eat."
Seated in the living room, we stare wordlessly at each other.
Since Father destroyed our family with his affair, I haven't called him 'Dad.'
Surprisingly, an IV stand is beside him—he's receiving fluids.
His face no longer bears the glow of health.
Just after sitting down, I rise, wanting to step outside.
Evan joins me, taking my hand.
"Your surgery was successful, how could it recur?"
My stepmother brings in coffee.
"Since you're here, could you persuade him to go to the hostpital. He's not young anymore, he shouldn't push himself so hard. Last time, he collapsed within seconds. It scared me so much that my hands went limp, I could hardly dial 911."
"It wasn't that serious. Anyway, go check on the kitchen."
"Don't listen to her, she exaggerates. The doctor said that I should rest. There's no major problem."
I stand, "I'll take a walk outside."
He assigns Nathan, who's playing nearby.
"Nathan, show Sister around outside."
Nathan abandons his Lego.
"Alright."
Nathan skips after me, his eyes revealing both unfamiliarity and a desire to get close.
I sigh, life has been kind to Professor, letting a cheating scoundrel find a caring partner, one who even bore him a sweet child.
Jane wasn't his mistress but got together with him three years after she left him for a younger, wealthier man.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be here today.
He fiddles with Evan's fingers, "Do you want to see my goldfish? They're in the stone basin."
"Let's go and take a look."
"You feed them too much and if you keep doing so they'll die from overeating."
"Really? But they always finish it."
"They don't refuse food, but you're their caretaker, you need to control their portions."
"How much per fish then?"
"They're small, three to five pieces will do."
"I'll remember that."
"Sloppy Sister, Brother is here."
I turn, and Evan approaches.
"Brother, Sister taught me to feed the goldfish. I gave them too much before; it could hurt them."
Evan tousles his hair.
"Lunch is ready, let's eat."
The meal was interrupted halfway through by an unexpected turn of events. My father suddenly experienced angina.
"Nathan, hurry to the living room and fetch your dad's nitroglycerin pills," My stepmother urged anxiously.
Nathan fetched the medicine, and I took a pill, administering it to him. This meal was destined to remain unfinished.
Evan carried him to the bedroom, laying him flat. The family doctor also arrived promptly. After all the commotion, it was nearly dusk by the time things settled.
Exiting the bedroom, I gazed at the swaying tree branches outside, a coat draped over my shoulders.
Evan said, "This spot is drafty; be careful not to catch a cold."
The doctor emerged, and I inquired, "How is he? Is he still in danger?"
"The situation isn't favorable. You should stay tonight, in case something happens," the doctor advised. My stepmother concurred, "Yes, please stay. I panic in situations like this, losing all sense of direction. With you here, I feel more reassured."
"Hannah, your room has always been kept for you. Apart from cleaning once a week, nothing in there has been touched."
I hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement to stay.
