"Why aren't you answering your phone?" Sam asked Winn.
"Nothing important." He replied.
But she noticed that it rang many times over a period of about three weeks. He'd always look and if it was one of his friends, he'd answer. But other times, he'd look at it, frown and decline the call. She was curious. No one got that many telemarketers or spam calls.
One day, he was in the shower when it rang on the night stand. She picked it up and saw that it said "Van Kull Prison'. She glanced at the bathroom door, then answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Hello. This is Warden O'Connell's office at Van Kull Prison. May I speak to Winslow Schott, Junior?"
"He's busy at the moment. This is his wife. Can I help you?"
"I've been trying to reach him for the last six weeks. It's imperative that he speak to us as soon as possible."
"Is this about his father?"
"Yes it is."
"Can you tell me? Because I'm afraid he won't contact you."
The woman hesitated before finally saying, "I need to inform him that his father is terminally ill. He only has a few weeks at most. If he wishes to see him, it will need to be soon."
"Oh, I understand,"
At that moment, Winn emerged from the bathroom and saw her talking on his phone.
"What are you doing?"
She glanced at him and raised a finger. "I'll make sure he gets the message and contacts you."
"Thank you." The woman said. Just in time because Winn grabbed the phone and disconnected.
"Why did you answer my phone?" he demanded.
"It rang. It was about your father."
"Don't you think I knew that every time the prison called? Did you ever think maybe I didn't want to talk to them?"
She knew he was angry and she knew that any discussion of his father brought out strong emotions from him. So she tried to be patient.
"Winn, he's dying. She said only a few weeks left."
"Good. He deserves to die."
"Winn."
"Well, he does. He killed six innocent people and more guards and agents. And then he tried to get me locked up with him."
"I know."
"Don't you think a monster like that deserves to die?"
"I'm not a judge and neither are you. But he is your father."
He made a derisive sound. "As if that matters to him."
"Maybe it doesn't. But it matters to you. You have to say goodbye."
"No, I don't. I hate him."
"No, you don't. You're disappointed, sad, you dislike him and hate what he did. But you don't hate him."
"I can't see him."
"You have to." He started to protest, but she interrupted. "Winn, the day my father died, I'd had a fight with him on the phone. He was late paying that loan I took out for him and I was worried about my credit rating. The last words I said to him were, 'You're selfish and irresponsible. Pay the loan.' Then I hung up without even saying goodbye. I never saw him or spoke to him again. A drunk driver hit him that evening."
She took his hands in hers. "I would pay ten huge loans for the chance to tell him goodbye and that I loved him. But I can't. I will live with that regret for the rest of my life. I don't want you to do that."
There were tears in her eyes and he pulled her into his arms.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I just don't know if I can…"
"You can. Just go, say anything you want and say goodbye. When he's gone, at least you'll know you ended it."
He nodded. "Okay, we'll go see him."
She pulled back and stared at him. "We?"
"Yep. Not doing this without you by my side."
She took a deep breath. "Okay."
Sorry for the delay. I was In New York seeing Jeremy Jordan at Elsie Fest. So much fun! And sorry this one is a little short. Need to get the drama is smaller servings.