He’ll Carry On, Work Shoes & All

My step-mum called and I just found my keys and got in the car. I called my sister and brother on the way and we all made the journey. We got a cheap AirBnB place between us; it was the first time we’d hung out for ages. 

It was weird seeing my dad like that, although to give him his due, he was sat up on the bed in his smart trousers and shirt, he even still had his shoes on. I suggested maybe he’d be more comfortable without them, but he was adamant – it was only half past two in the afternoon, usually he’d be at work, he’s not ill and so why wouldn’t he be dressed and ready. Ready for a few more nights stay in hospital at least, but there we were. There was so much waiting around, my brother went out to buy Monopoly, so we sat there squeezed around the bed and played a pretty intense game with dad – maybe our competitiveness was hiding our concern. 

He lost the sight in one eye and has since dropped to 75% vision in the other now. But he remains stoically independent, he’s not ill so in his mind he’ll damn well carry on as he was, work shoes and all.