“Is my daughter a good worker?”

“Sorry?” Addison said, quickly looking up.

“Joanna...does she do a good job?”

“Yes. She’s very...um...strong-willed,” Addison said, but when Robert scowled back at her, she rethought her words. “Meaning...meaning when she wants something done, it gets done.”

“I taught her that,” Robert said, puffing up his chest. “Can’t get anywhere in this world if you let people walk all over you.”

“No...no, I suppose you can’t.”

“And she’s smart. Have you noticed?” Robert said, putting down his midnight snack. “She was at the top of her class at school. Could have been anything she wanted to be. That is...that is until I got sick. She gave it all up. Do you know that? Gave up her dream for me.”

Curious as to what fantasies a woman like Joanna could possibly have beyond paying the bills and sales at second-hand stores, Addison said, “What dream?”

“To get an education...” Robert’s voice trailed off as he thought about his daughter. “I remember one morning we were talking about her studies. She had no idea what she wanted to be yet, but she said something would eventually click. The important thing was she was going back to school. Higher learning, she called it, and because of me...she never got the chance.” Letting out a sigh, he pushed the ice cream container away. “I think I’d like to go back to my room now.”

***

By the time the kitchen door was swinging behind them, Addison could see Robert leaning heavily on his cane, so offering him her arm, they moved like snails toward the lift. When they exited one floor up, Addison stopped briefly, and again at the entrance to the wing, giving the man time to catch his breath. Fifteen minutes after leaving the kitchen, they finally made it to Robert’s bedroom.

Mindful not to awaken the snoring lump of a nurse snoozing in the chair, Addison carefully stepped over the woman’s outstretched legs and got Robert to the bed. Waiting until he climbed under the covers, Addison turned to walk away, but was stopped when Robert grabbed her hand.

After glimpsing at the nurse to make sure she hadn’t awoken, Addison returned to the edge of the bed and leaned in close. “What’s wrong? Do you need something?”

“No, lass,” Robert said quietly. “I just wanted to thank you for the ice cream and...and the company. Now that I know this is your house, I’ll try my best not to go wandering about again. Please accept my apology for intruding upon your evening.”