so, how did he know more than Thomas?
This was a mystery he was going to solve quickly... before his head exploded with confusion.
FIVE
“I’m not ill, nor am I dying, son.” Darion Powers adjusted in his brown leather, heated recliner with built-in Bluetooth speakers, crossing one foot over the other. He lifted the remote and clicked it toward the movie-sized screen TV hanging on the wall. Immediately, the screen was filled with a baseball stadium and players who were preparing to start their game. “I’m fit as a fiddle, in fact. However, if you keep living your careless lifestyle, you may be the one dying instead of me.”
“I know what I’m doing, Dad.” Thomas raked his fingers through his hair as he paced the floor, stepping in front of his father more often than he should. His old man was a dedicated Chicago White Sox fan, and once a week at this time, he could be found just like he was now – sipping wine and watching a baseball game. The old man had done this for as long as Thomas could remember. If he recalled, it was because his father had always wanted to be a professional baseball player. Instead, Grandfather Jethro had other plans for his son.
“Look at it this way,” Thomas added, “I’m having fun while I still can.”
“Personally, I think you are hiding your heartache from last year.” Andrea, Thomas’ mom, entered the man-cave, carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres. She smiled lovingly at Thomas.
When she passed him, he plucked one of the appetizers off the tray before she could place it on the small table next to Dad’s recliner. “What heartache?” Thomas asked, plopping the shrimp, avocado slice, and cheese on a cracker, into his mouth.
“You know who I’m referring to.” His mother moved to the empty recliner next to her husband and sat. “You’re still broken up over the woman your cousin married.”
Thomas snorted and shook his head. “No, I’m not.”
“We could all see how it broke your heart.” His mother frowned.
Thomas sighed. “Elizabeth was just a friend who I dated once. That’s all,” he lied. “Besides, I think Nolan was suffering more than I was, and he fell for her pretty quickly.”
“But at least he found someone to love.” Mother took a napkin and loaded a few pieces of her favorite appetizer on it.
“Yes. Both Aaron and Nolan are lucky men.” Thomas nodded, wanting to end this particular conversation.
“Son? Maybe you need to settle on one lady friend instead of having so many,” Darion suggested.
“And maybe,” Thomas’ voice tightened, “you shouldn’t worry about my love life. Besides, I’m not here to talk about me.” Thomas stood in front of his father, blocking him from seeing the television. “I came to check on your health, that is all.”
“And why, may I ask?” Darion folded his arms. “You have never worried about my health before.”
“That’s not fair,” Thomas answered quickly. “I care about you and Mom. I’m your only son, and I want to make sure you are both all right.”
He definitely couldn’t tell his parents what the odd little man who claimed to be his guardian angel had mentioned about Darion dying. Thomas’ father would send him to a psychiatric ward before there was time to pack.
“Thank you, dear. We are pleased that you think of us.” His mother tucked a stray brown hair behind her ear. She colored her hair regularly to hide the gray so that nobody could tell her real age. His father, on the other hand, had nearly all-white hair.
From behind Thomas, the crack of a bat hitting a ball boomed through the speakers in the recliner, followed quickly by the cheering crowd. His father’s eyes widened as he tried to look around Thomas. The man motioned his hand for Thomas to move.
“Do you mind? I can’t see.”
Thomas peeked over his shoulder. “Oh, it was just a hit from the Cardinals... a home-run, I think.”
“What?” Darion jumped out of his chair and moved closer to the television. Seconds later, he sighed and playfully swatted Thomas’ arm. “Teasing me like that when it comes to baseball, will definitely be the death of me.”
Thomas chuckled. “Quit being a drama-queen, Dad.”
“Oh, hush, you two.” His mother shooed at them with her hands.
Darion moved back to his recliner, but before sitting, he took a couple of appetizers. “Tell me what you need to say, son. This game is going to be a good one. I can feel it in my bones.”
Thomas moved to the loveseat