A Past That Won’t Stay Buried

Kelly’s POV

Hospitals always made me uneasy. But I forced myself to step forward, gripping the bag of fresh clothes and fruit I had brought for my father.  

I had visited him a few times already, but it was never easy.  

I wasn’t sure if would ever  be.  

Standing outside his room, I exhaled, pushing past the hesitation, and knocked lightly before stepping in.  

The sight of him, frail but still sharp-eyed, sent a familiar wave of conflicted emotions through me. He was sitting up in bed, staring out of the small hospital window, lost in thought.  

When he heard me enter, he turned...