Family Issues
Enrico
I was once again in the nursing home, specifically in the comfortable and spacious room for which I paid a sum that could easily be considered exorbitant. I hoped that my father would return to eating normally, but he seemed to have no intention of ending his fast.
Joseph was sitting in a chair, facing the glass window that overlooked the well-kept garden of the home where he had been living for two years. He stared outside as if completely absorbed by what he saw.
“Dad!” I exclaimed, hoping to get his attention “Dad!”
He remained motionless as if I hadn't said anything. My concern about his stubborn refusal to eat only grew. In addition to fasting, he also kept himself isolated from his friends, making the situation even more distressing.
Despite the grievances I held about how my father treated me since I was very young, full of dreams and grand plans, I couldn't help but worry about him. As my maternal grandmother used to say, "Each person can only offer what they carry in their heart." So, if you are good, you can only offer good things, and the opposite is also true. I could never intentionally harm anyone.
“What's the matter, Dad?” I insisted once again, determined. “If something happened, I need to know. Only then can I do something to help you.”
My words finally snapped Joseph out of his reverie, and he directed all his attention to me. His gaze was filled with bitterness and even resentment.
“I just need to say that the famous Formula One driver, internationally recognized, will solve my problem, right, big Enrico Bianchi?”
He pronounced these words with irony and contempt, awakening an old anger in me. It was the rude and sarcastic way he always referred to me and my biggest dream, which was now my reality: to be one of the best Formula One drivers in the world.
“I could never understand you, you know?” I ended up venting. “Why does everything related to my big dream bother you? Why do you hate the idea that I am a famous racing driver, a three-time world champion? Because I am, indeed!”
Joseph stared at me with a strange gleam in his eyes, but there was no anger, only hurt, something I could never comprehend and that he didn't seem willing to explain.
“You are my son, Enrico,” he said enigmatically. “That's something no one can take away from me.”
At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the room. I seriously considered asking the person on the other side to leave us alone and let us have some privacy. I needed to know what Joseph meant with those words, but I ended up not doing it.
“Come in!”
The housekeeper entered with a wheeled cart and placed another meal on the small table in one of the corners of the room. She left shortly after excusing herself.
“You need to eat,” I said, without trying to pry into his enigmatic statement. “Please!”
Joseph looked at me with the same mysterious gleam in his eyes but said nothing, returning to his contemplation of the garden. All I could do was take a deep breath and stay in control. What could I do to help someone about whom I had no idea what he was feeling or thinking?
At that moment, my phone rang, and I answered it before even checking who was calling. I walked to the door, ready to continue the conversation in the corridor.
“Are you coming to visit me today, or do you plan to keep ignoring your best friend?” Sarah asked playfully.
“I'm not sure if Graham will be too happy with my presence again at his house” I replied in the same tone.
I had told Sarah that I would be in town for a few days and would visit her as soon as possible. She still didn't know the reason for my sudden return to Seattle, but I didn't want to explain my father's situation over the phone.
“Kael doesn't have to like it or not; after all, you're my friend, and you're always welcome wherever I am” Sarah protested determinedly.
“I have to say I like this new Sarah,” I said sincerely “Much more confident and determined.”
“Life teaches us, and we need to learn its lessons.”
We talked a bit more, and after promising to visit her the next day, I thought about telling Sarah about the encounter with Rachel in a hotel downtown, but I quickly dismissed the idea. It didn't make sense to worry her about someone like her twin sister, who wasn't interested in her well-being.
After ending the call with Sarah, before returning to the room, I called Hannah and we arranged to meet again that night in her suite at her hotel. I had enjoyed talking to her, and the previous night had been quite satisfying. After a tiring day like that, nothing sounded better than sex and the company of someone I connected with.
Upon returning to the room, I noticed that the food, which had been untouched on the plate before, was now slightly moved. This gave me a bit more hope regarding Joseph's recovery and potential return to normal routine.
“So, what do you think about watching a movie together?” I suggested an upbeat tone, but I got no response.
It had been a long day, and I hoped the night would be as pleasant as the previous one. However, I was concerned about the possibility of encountering Rachel again at the hotel, as had happened the day before. I couldn't believe she was staying there, as it made no sense.
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