“So tell me the truth. What did Dr. Anchali say?”

Dad waved his hand. “I told you—it’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”

“Dad…” Kamila gave him the look. When her mother had used that look, it had always worked better on her dad than Kamila.

“Kamila, beti, there is nothing we can do until we get the blood test results. You worry about me too much.”

“What did she say about your blood pressure?”

Dad put his tea down. “It was a little too high. She gave me a higher dose of the blood pressure medication. And she would like me to exercise more. But I have to wait for the blood tests to know more.”

“Did she mention anything about you working less?”

“Kamila, I can’t yet. My clients count on me. I told you I just signed on to help Anil Malek launch his new nonprofit. If it goes well, they’ll put Emerald on retainer for all their finance needs.”

“Dad, I can take your clients! I’m used to bigger accounts now. This new tattoo shop has an annual revenue of—”

He shook his head. “Nah, beti. You have your work at the shelter, and your parties, and your own clients.”

“But remember what Dr. Piersanti said! You need to minimize your stress!” Dr. Piersanti was Dad’s last psychotherapist. The one he refused to see anymore, claiming the man didn’t understand how Indian families worked. Which, granted, was true.

Dad patted Kamila’s hand. “There is no need to have this argument now. The test results will be ready in a week. Let’s talk about that then. Would you like me to take Darcy out before bed?”

Kamila exhaled. “Okay. Thanks, Dad. I’m going to turn in.”

While Kamila finally took off the lovely, but frankly not very comfortable, dress, she thought about how to convince Dad to take better care of himself. He was so frustratingly stubborn when it came to work. Kamila didn’t know how much of it was patriarchal whatever from their culture, or if it was because he thought he owed the family after everything that happened after Mom died.

But everything that happened after Mom died was exactly why he deserved to be healthy and happy, maybe more than anyone Kamila knew. He saved Kamila then. And she owed him the world and more for that. But all she could do now was hope those test results were fine. Then all would be good until next year’s physical.

*  *  *

On Thursday night Kamila had dinner plans with Maricel so they could work on her business proposal for her puppy academy. Kamila was worried Dad would eat junk if she wasn’t home, though, so she dropped suggestions to Dad that he eat at the home of his closest friend, Rashida Aunty, who Kamila had called to make sure she was cooking a healthy meal that night.