the front door, I want to head straight to my room only the house is abnormally quiet. “Dad,” I call out.
“I’m here, love.”
I reach the lounge room.
“Oh, no.” I race around. Dad’s lying on the floor next to the lounge, a shadow darkening beneath his eye.
“Dad!” I gasp.
“I’m okay. I fell and hit my head, so thought I’d wait for you to come home before I tried to get up. Didn’t want to pass out trying to stand.”
“Why didn’t you call?” I crouch beside him checking his leg for abrasions, his arms, and chest.
“Couldn’t reach my phone.”
“I’m phoning an ambulance.”
“I’m fine. If you could help me up here…” He pushes onto his elbow and grimaces.
“I can’t risk you falling again. And taking me with you. Please lie down.” I squat beside him. “Tell me what happened.”
“I felt off and went to stand. I reached for my crutches, and then next thing I know I was lying here. I haven’t drunk any beer, I promise. But last night when Greg left, my head was spinning, and I thought it was from having one too many.”
“You were in bed when he left?”
“Yep.”
“How many did you drink?”
“About four.” His lips press in a thin line highlighting his sunken cheeks.
I shake my head in disappointment at myself for not checking him better before leaving for work this morning. It was early, and I understood why he wanted to stay in bed a touch longer.
“I think you should be examined. You may have cracked a rib, or you might be getting sick. Either way, we’re heading to the hospital.”
He looks defeated, but regardless, I call 000.
“When was your last appointment to check the progression of your glaucoma?” the ER doctor asks.
I dip my chin, scrolling through the calendar on my phone. Another question I can’t answer because time has slipped by, and I’ve missed some important follow-up visits. “I’m sorry.” An apology to both Dad and the doctor. I’m mortified because I’m responsible for Dad. “It’s been a few months.”
“We’ll organise some more tests. I think it might be his sight causing the problem.”
The doctor exits, and we wait for Dad to be transferred to a ward. My head is pounding for different reasons now. To make matters worse, I haven’t eaten since lunch, and with the stress of Dad, I need to eat something before I pass out. Leaving him in the cubicle, I search for a vending machine in the ER waiting room and find one near the exit doors. The machine dings, and my potato crisps fall. Leaning over, I hear Reef’s voice and then laughter.
Am I imagining him in my delirious state of mind?
Taking a step back to conceal myself beside the machine, I’m in a position to keep an eye on him. I’m thankful he’s mid-conversation with a mate. More guys walk behind him, all chattering, with Chance following last, and his eyes round as he spots me
“Hey, sweet cheeks. Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “Here with my dad. He fell while I was at work, so he’s having some tests.”
He nods as though he understands. “My dad’s been in the hospital having tests the past week. He tells me not to worry and focus on my game.” He gives me a sceptical look I comprehend. “Easier said than done, hey?”
“Yeah.” It’s nice to chat with someone who understands. “Is your dad okay?”
“I’ll find out tomorrow when I get home. I only stayed the extra day to catch up with Reef. We went to school together, so we’re old mates.”
“Reef’s from Melbourne?”
“Yup. He was picked up in the draft straight from school. His mum’s having a hard time with him not studying at uni after the money it costs for private education, but hey, we all know what AFL players are paid.”
“And soccer,” I say, moving away from the vending machine.
“Football, not soccer.”
“I say soccer because I can’t keep up with all the different football codes.” I raise my arms. “I have no clue.”
He chuckles. “I get as much from endorsements and merch. I’m one of the lucky ones without yet playing a game.”
Lucky.
Maybe he is, financially. Chance still has problems and worries like me even if he’s never been on the field. “But wait. Didn’t you play Friday night?”
“I’m on the roster and travel with the team. I’m one of the emergencies if another player falls ill or is injured at practice before the game. Always a perk when we play in Adelaide because I get to see these dudes.”
I