as she’d pleaded, with him, the southerner, grew saddened, at the desperation, apparent, in Danielle’s voice. in truth, he had reconsidered, time, and, time, again, – whether, or not, to have the surgery, that could’ve, either, extended, what time he’d had left, by a factor, or, that also, could’ve put an end, to it all, – to him, – instantly, had things gone wrong. according to, what, various cardiologists, in Charlotte, had explained, it’d been a risky procedure, to undergo, at any rate, and, from Timothy’s perspective, the rewards, that it’d guaranteed, if successful, weren’t enough of an incentive, to pursue. he’d done as they’d asked, – he’d cut back, on his smoking, he’d ate right, he’d exercised, more so, that he’d been, since retirement. it changed, here and there, but, from what they’d predicted, if Timothy, were to play his cards right, he’d had a few, short years, left, in him, and, while, he’d be good to go, when his time, had came; he’d hoped, and, he’d prayed, for those years, and, he’d intended, to make the very best, of them. unfortunately, to do so, it’d meant that Jesse, his son, his good, ‘ol boy, couldn’t… have a damned clue, what’d gone on. a decision, that, expectedly. had taken much more, lofty, consideration, than the prior. “I’ve got time, they said,” he’d assured her, knowing, she’d only, just, known, the surface-level diagnosis, of what he’d faced. “plenty… of time,” he’d attempted, a smile, then, but, it’d been bleak, – the sight, of the tears, she’d fought, a roadblock, he’d faced. “for… fishing, and, hunting… and, making memories, that’ll count, one of… these days,” he’d sighed, knowing, that, those days, he’d spoke of, would come, before, he’d known it, “he… deserves, that time. just, wish… I, had more, to give ‘em.”
by then, Jesse’d up, and wandered, from the chapel, back, to where he’d began, – the primary, waiting area. nervously, a foot, had tapped, – entirely unexpectant, of the fact, that… his old man, himself, had been the true, withholder, of the information, he’d desired. what he’d believed, had been necessary, – a means, of preservation. a process, in which, Timothy’d never intended, to rope Danielle, into. “I’m real… sorry, to get ya’ involved… in, all of this, Dani,” he’d spoke, apologetically, whilst, nodding, in response, to what she’d, so inquired. it had been, what he’d meant, – what he’d asked, when he had. Jesse, couldn’t know, which, inevitably, had meant, that Danielle, couldn’t tell him. a feat, – that he could imagine, by her own response, to the latter, of his inquiries, – would be much harder, than he’d wished, upon her. a look that’d, as she’d said, it might, had spoken volumes, to how she’d felt, for his son. of course, it hadn’t been his business, but, she’d talked, of him, as he had, her, and, he’d only hoped, that, one day, they’d find a way, to work through it. whatever… it, had been. that Jesse, one of the most, unexpected, blessings, of his life, could… settle down, happily, with another. (with Danielle, if that’d been, the one, for him, – as it’d seemed, to have been, from what he’d seen of them, together). of course, he’d have loved, to have been there, – alive, – when that’d happened, but, of these things, amongst others, he’d no control. in his heart, he’d known, he’d have a way, of witnessing, regardless. “word, of advice?” he’d sputtered, as their hands, had parted, for her to wipe, at her under-eyes. “life’s too short.” to fight, the inevitable. to weep, for what’s to come. to live, without the things, or, the people, that you love, the most. all of it, had applied. though, well aware, that, soon, they’d have to face him, – Jesse, – above all, it’d been that, that he’d hoped, for her to actualize.
He had time, yes. But really how much was plenty of time? Danielle, usually being a good judge of character, could tell that Timothy was holding onto more. More than he actually wanted to let her in on, which to some extent she was grateful for. It was one less secret to hide from Jesse, yet she also wanted to know the whole truth so she could figure out a way to help him. If he wasn't going to have the surgery, perhaps she could be there for him in other ways. They could go jogging together, she could go to his house a couple of days a week to make sure he was stocked up on the right ingredients for heart healthy meals. And as much as it pained her to say, she believed it was something she could do behind Jesse's back... because this was what Tim wanted. Not what Danielle wanted. The best she could tell herself was that it would be her helping his father; benefiting her father's health. Perhaps they could come up with some sort of plan as and when she could show up and make sure he was on the right path to keeping a good and flourishing lifestyle. At least this way Dani wouldn't feel as though she was letting the days slip by and she was doing nothing to assist. “If you want my advice, Tim. Yes, I agree. Jesse does deserve that time. But he also deserves to know why you want to do those things with him. I know borrowed time can be difficult, and I can very much understand it's a burden you wish not to share with your son. But as I said... just please consider it.” Nodding gently, she added, “I know it's not your fault for putting me in this position, but that's not what I want you to focus on. I'd rather you think of Jesse over me... and how not knowing will affect him.” Naturally, she couldn't accept his apology, because in her eyes, there was nothing to apologize for.
Soon enough, Dani was already getting up from her seat. Collecting a few files on her desk, she neatened them up before she placed them tight to her chest, ready for her afternoon of rounds. At his final words, she doctor graced a smile, followed by a small nod of understanding. She knew what he was referring to — Jesse. And she could appreciate his advice. Time was of the essence, quite literally for Tim. And yes, it did get her thinking about the many regrets she'd had throughout the last few months and how easily she could fix them; how easy it would be for things to go back to the way they were. However, Dani also had that voice in the back of her head, telling her that it could never truly be the same. Unless the issues that had caused their break-up in the first place were faced head-on, how could it? And judging by how things had ended... how things had blown up over the Christmas period... those issues were something Jesse and Dani struggled with. “Thank you.” Her reply, short and sweet, soon turned back onto him. “Look, I'm gonna be in touch. I'd like to come over at some point and see the contents of your refrigerator. Make sure you're eating the right things.” It was more something she was doing as family rather than as his doctor, but it would just make her feel that bit better about the whole situation. “Perhaps we should go get Jesse.”
