Ends of the Earth

“Where’s my dad? I want my dad!” Maggie’s cries echoed off the linoleum, and Jason’s heart clenched as he skidded into her room.

By Maggie’s bed, Karen the nurse sighed in relief and said, “Look, here he is, sweetie.”

He brushed by the two other people in the room, registering distantly that somehow they were his parents, and sat on the bed to pull Maggie into his arms. She buried her face against his chest, tears wetting his T-shirt.

“It’s okay. I’m here. I’m sorry.” Pulse thudding, he rubbed her back, staring at the rumpled sheets, aware of his parents’ weighty gazes.

Sobbing, Maggie whined, “Where were you?”

The guilt intensified, and he despised himself. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” She’d needed him and he’d been having sex. He was unbearably selfish.

Everyone was right. I’m a horrible father.

A man spoke up, the hospital security guard who’d been watching the door to protect against the media since the FBI had left. His voice was low, bushy eyebrows drawn into one line. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Kellerman. They said they’re your parents. Shelly and Robert Kellerman. I checked their ID.”

Jason cleared his dry throat, still holding Maggie tightly. “They are.” He looked his parents in the eye. “But they have no right to be here.”

“Son, we only want to help.” His father peered at him, his face craggier than Jason remembered, dark, neat hair receding past his forehead and shot through with gray.

“Son? Seriously?” He exhaled slowly. “Maggie needs her rest. Wait for me outside.”

His mother nodded. “All right. We didn’t mean to upset her. Or you.”

They left, along with the guard and Karen, who gave him a sympathetic smile. Maggie’s sobs had slowed, and she hiccupped and sniffed.

“Why did they come?” she asked. “I thought they didn’t like us.”

“Oh, honey. It’s not that. It was never about not liking you. You’re wonderful. We just disagreed on how to raise you. It was about me, not you. I know it’s confusing.” He’d rarely ever talked to Maggie about them. He’d answered any questions she’d had, but his family simply hadn’t been part of their life.

She lifted her head, face red and wet, eyes puffy. “You’re the greatest dad, and they’re stupid.”

He’d usually scold her for using that kind of language, but he only kissed her head and murmured, “We’ll talk about this more tomorrow. It’s time for bed.”

Even though it was still early, Maggie didn’t argue for once, and was asleep almost immediately after he tucked her in and caressed her hair until he was sure she was out. He turned down the lights, reluctant to go anywhere, but he had to deal with his parents.

Karen came in and spoke softly. “I’m so sorry. She was completely fine until they showed up. She really was. Don’t beat yourself up, okay?”

He nodded, since there was no point in arguing. “Can you stay with Maggie while I talk to them?”

“Absolutely. It’s quiet tonight. I put your parents in the empty room next door to wait. Just to the left. I’ll come get you immediately if Maggie wakes up.”

“Thank you.” With a last kiss to Maggie’s forehead, he left.

In the hall, he accepted another apology from the guard, then took a couple deep breaths before walking through the open door of the room where his parents waited, his mother pacing, his father standing by the window, the last beams of sunset glowing outside. Jason closed the door.

Under the fluorescent lights, the dark circles under his mother’s eyes were stark, fine lines fanning out around her eyes and mouth. Her blond hair brushed her shoulders in waves, shorter than he remembered. She was still slim and fit, and diamonds glittered in her ears. Her slacks and blouse were surprisingly wrinkled.

“Jason. I… We…” She looked to his father, who cleared his throat and fiddled with the cuffs of his dress shirt, his tie hanging loose. He’d never seen his parents so dishevelled.

“First off, it’s so good to see you, Jason.” The low timber of his father’s voice was exactly the same. “We’ve missed you more than we could ever say.”

Missed didn’t capture the instinctive need filling Jason. The need for their love and approval, simply for them. He’d convinced himself he’d excised them from his life cleanly, but the wound had been jagged and fanged after all.

Being in the same room with his parents after eight years, part of him wanted to rush into their arms despite the deep-seated resentment. But no, he had to be strong. He managed to keep his voice even. “How did you know we were here?”

“It’s all over the news,” his mother said. “We couldn’t believe it when we heard your names. Maggie and Jason Kellerman.” Her lips trembled. “You both could have been killed. We knew we had to come and try to make it right. Had to help you.”