A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,33
but triggered the bitter feelings she’d lugged around since Karen ran off with her husband. “What is it?”
“It’s Doug. He’s very ill and—”
Her words vanished in a sob. Kelsey braced herself.
“It’s pancreatic cancer, Kelsey.”
Pancreatic. The word squeezed against her heart. The worst. “What stage?”
“Three. It’s in the lymph nodes.”
The news startled her. Doug was Lucy’s father. Though he’d been remiss in seeing her—more like neglectful—the fact remained. “I’m sorry, Karen.” How long? The question hung on her lips but couldn’t be uttered.
“I know he hasn’t been a good father to Lucy. I bugged him sometimes, but you know how he is. He kept putting it off, and the longer he waited the harder it was.”
Kelsey knew and didn’t want to hear his excuses. She tried to find appropriate words, but every thought that came to her was piled with anger and resentment.
“He wants to see Lucy, Kelsey.”
“Now?” The word shot from her. “You’re asking me to…” To what? Give a dying man his last wish. “Lucy’s been through a difficult time, and—”
“I know. Doug couldn’t handle it. When—”
“Couldn’t handle it? Karen, you were once my friend. I was left alone to handle it. No support from Doug or you.” Self-pity tore through her.
“Kelsey, would you have accepted my help?”
Shame lodged in her chest. “Probably not. You’re right, but I would have appreciated a little support from Doug.”
She leaned against the wall, torn with her response. “I’ll talk with Lucy and see if she’s up to it.” The statement was moot. Lucy was up to everything. She had gained strength from fighting her own battle.
Kelsey swallowed her frustration. “Is there treatment? Surgery?”
“He has options.” Karen’s voice cracked. “But he’s not sure he wants to go through it when the outcome is clear.”
Reality pressed against her stomach, and for a moment, her mind flew back to the years she’d been in love with Doug and the good times they’d had. But he’d ruined it all with his betrayal of their marriage vows. Vows that had meant everything to her.
Kelsey lifted her gaze, startled to see Ross sitting across the great room, staring out the window. She’d forgotten. “Karen, I’ll talk to Lucy and call you back. She’s in school now.” She glanced at her watch. Only four hours before she had to break the news to Lucy that her father was dying.
“Is she doing better now? Kelsey…” Her name had almost vanished in a whisper. “I’m so sorry. I should have asked earlier.”
“You had other things on your mind.” And so did she. Her gaze settled on Ross. She’d never told him about Doug, and she wondered what he was thinking. “I have company right now, Karen. I’ll call you later this evening after I talk with Lucy.”
When she hung up, she stood a moment, sorry that Ross had to hear her conversation. She should have gone into her bedroom. Anywhere but to let him hear her bitterness and self-pity.
“I’m sorry, Ross. I had no idea the call would take so long.”
He turned to face her, his eyes questioning. “I should have taken a walk and given you privacy.”
“No. It’s best you were here.” She motioned for him to sit and warmed his coffee. “You’ve never asked, and I’ve never talked about my ex.”
He grasped the cup and took a sip. “I’ve wondered, but didn’t want to pry.”
“I should have told you long ago. You told me about Ruthie.” She had always avoided the memories. Too much pain. “Do you have time to listen?”
“I’d like to hear what happened. I assume the call was from him.”
“About him. It was from his wife, Karen.” She drew in a lengthy breath and told Ross about Doug and Karen’s betrayal. She didn’t delve into details. Not today.
“Your best friend?” He looked dazed. “And you never suspected?”
“Gullible. Stupid. Blind.” Her chest tightened with the memory of the hurt and mortification she dealt with when she found out.
“Deceived by your two best friends.” He shook his head. “I can’t even imagine.”
Neither could Kelsey. “I should have caught on.” She thought back to clues she’d brushed away, slips of the tongue she’d ignored.
“How did you find out?”
The day stabbed her. “Her husband figured it out and called me.”
Ross’s eyes widened as he drew back. “He called you. That must have been horrible.”
“I still didn’t believe it. I thought he was mixed up. Had the wrong person. You know. I did everything to convince him he was wrong until he said enough things that I had to face the