Patrick connected the old recording to a small speaker, and we sat together in the living room.
There was a little background noise before Richard began speaking.
“Hey, sweetheart. It’s Dad.”
Beth pressed both hands against her mouth.
Richard’s voice was weaker than it probably had been when he was healthy, but he sounded warm and gentle.
He said he didn’t know how old Beth would be when she heard the message or what kind of life she’d have built.
He hoped she would be happy.
He hoped she’d find someone who treated her well.
Then his voice grew quieter.
“I wish I could be there for all of it. I really do.”
Janet leaned against Beth.
Richard continued.
“But there’s something I want you to remember. You don’t have to be brave for everybody else all the time, sweetheart. Sometimes you get to be the one somebody takes care of.”
