LOGAN
Three days later, Dad finally gets around to telling me the news Fran had interrupted on Monday.
Now, frigid autumn air is whipping my face, the cold gusts drill into my aching bones. My body is stiff, every movement robotic.
An image of my jacket draped on the back of my office chair flickers into my mind, but itâs gone in an instant, replaced by Dadâs words.
~Brain cancer. Glioblastoma. Stage four.~
How was I so damn clueless? I spend twelve hours a day in the same office as Dad and never caught on. I thought he was sneaking off with Fran or meeting with clients.
Why didnât I realize he was going to doctorâs appointments?
~I have six months.~
I storm down the street, not caring that Iâm blowing past colleagues and pushing through pedestrians. Their worlds arenât shattered. They have nothing to be upset about.
~Need you to take over within the next two weeks.~
I donât want to.
~Doesnât matter. Family legacy. My only son.~
Pioneer Park used to be beautiful. I usually avoid it now. On weekdays, the swing sets are occupied by teenagers smoking cigarettes, and the fields are a campground for homeless folks.
City officials clear the place out on weekends for the farmerâs market and fairs, but everyone returns Monday. I guess Salt Lakeâs homeless need it more than the local kids.
I ignore the requests for spare change and throw myself onto a splintered bench. The wind is freezing me to my core, and the first droplets of an impending storm are falling gently.
I should have gone back for my jacket, but moving feels impossible. My joints lock when I picture the walk from the elevator to my office. Too many people to greet. Too many prying eyes.
No, going back to the office isnât an option. Not like this. I press my hands against my pockets and feel nothing but my phone. My keys must be in my jacket. Canât even sneak out through the parking garage.
I squeeze my eyes shut before unlocking my phone. I donât know why, but sheâs the only person I can bear to see.
Logan
Hey, . Could you do me a favor?
Rae
Sure!
Logan
Could you bring my jacket and keys to Pioneer Park? I just got some bad news and canât go back into the office.
Logan
No worries if you canât. I can ask Ellen.
Rae
Iâm sorry to hear that. Iâll be there in five.
Sheâs here in four.