Irrefutable Read Free

Tonight . ” His palms began to sweat as a lump grew in his throat. He tried desperately to swallow it down, but each attempt only made it larger.
    Alex sat up on the edge of the bed, trying to prepare himself for the inevitable confrontation that was about to ensue.
    Resigning to the fact that he had no choice, he slowly opened the door to face the heartbreak of the one person in the world who truly depended on him.
    Carmen had been waiting for this moment for months. The night was finally here. Her dress was beautiful, a burgundy satin affair that was off the shoulders and just touching the floor. Her makeup, which she had spent hours on, was flawless. At sixteen, she was a picture of youthful beauty, a perfect blend of the best features from Alex and her mother.
    Her date wasn’t due to arrive for another hour, but Alex couldn’t wait that long. He was going to miss, yet another, milestone in her life.
    “You look beautiful,” he said from the hall as his daughter admired her dress. “Your mother would be so proud.”
    “Do you think she can see me?” Carmen did a twirl.
    “I’m sure she can.” Alex said with a forced smile. In the two years since Allyson’s death, he had raised Carmen alone. She needed him to be here for such an important event. He struggled to find a way to break the news that, once again, he had to leave.
    He walked to her and pulled her close for a tight hug.
    “Careful with the makeup,” Carmen laughed as she pushed him away.
    Alex backed away and put his hands in his pockets. Too ashamed to look at her, his gaze fell to the floor. He drew in a deep breath a held it for a moment. “I just got a call. There is a woman in the ER who has been assaulted.”
    Carmen stared at him through narrowed eyes. “And you have to leave, right?” She threw her hands in the air. “Doesn’t that just figure?”
    Alex reached for her hand, but Carmen slapped it away. “Don’t touch me!” She took a step backwards.
    “I’m sorry. I know how important tonight is to you.”
    “No, I don’t think you do.” Her eyes began to water. “So, I’m supposed to just wait here by myself?” She glared at her father.
    “I’m sorry, but you know how this works. When they call, I have to go.” Alex snatched a tissue from the box on the end table and blotted her eyes.
    “I should be used to it by now.” she pushed his hand away from her face. “You always have to leave. What about me? Why is your job always more important than I am?” Her eyes again, filled with tears. She sat on the edge of the couch and buried her face in her hands.
    “Nothing is more important than you,” Alex knelt in front of her, “but this is my job. It’s what I do. It’s what I have to do. I have responsibilities.”
    “But not to me, right?” Carmen ran to her room and slammed the door.
    Alex followed. “Carmen, I’m sorry.” He pressed his forehead against her door. “I don’t want to go, but I don’t have a choice.”
    There was no response. He knew explaining was pointless. He told himself she would understand someday.
    Alex grabbed his keys from the end table and headed for the front door. He paused for a moment, looking back, hoping she would emerge from her room to say she understood. But, as he expected, her door remained closed. He got in his car and headed for the hospital.
     
     
    “She’s right, you know.” Allyson said, sitting in the passenger’s seat.
    Alex tried to ignore her, to tell himself that she wasn’t really there, but he knew she wouldn’t go away until he acknowledged her.
    Allyson sat quietly, waiting for Alex to respond.
    “I know she’s right, but what am I supposed to do? I can’t just blow off a call because it’s inconvenient.”
    “You need to make time for her when you can.” Allyson said. “If you’d spend more time with her when you are available, she wouldn’t resent you so much at times like this.” She waited for a response, but Alex said nothing. “When was