Elma's heart sank as she listened to her mother's voice on the phone. She hadn't spoken to her mother in a while, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to deal with whatever drama her mother had brewing.
"What's going on, Mom?" Elma asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.
"I need to talk to you about your father," her mother said. "He's been in the hospital, and I'm not sure if he's going to make it."
Elma felt a pang of guilt and regret. She hadn't spoken to her father in years, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to forgive him. But she knew she had to try.
"I'm coming to see him," Elma said, making up her mind.
Liam, who had been watching her with concern, stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "I'll come with you," he said. "You don't have to face this alone."
Elma felt a surge of gratitude towards Liam. She knew she could count on him to support her, no matter what.
As they arrived at the hospital, Elma's nerves began to fray. She hadn't seen her father in years, and she wasn't sure what to expect.
But as she walked into his hospital room, she was surprised to see the frail, weak man lying in the bed. He looked nothing like the strong, domineering figure she remembered.
"Elma," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm glad you're here."
Elma felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at her father. She wasn't sure if she was ready to forgive him, but she knew she had to try.
As Elma stood beside her father's hospital bed, she felt a mix of emotions. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to say, but she didn't know where to start.
Her father, sensing her uncertainty, reached out and took her hand. "I'm sorry, Elma," he whispered. "I'm sorry for everything."
Elma felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at her father. She had waited years to hear those words, and now that she had, she wasn't sure how to react.
"It's okay, Dad," she said finally, trying to sound calm. "I'm just glad you're okay."
But as she looked into her father's eyes, she saw the pain and regret there, and she knew that things weren't okay. Not yet.
Liam, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward and introduced himself. "I'm Liam," he said. "Elma's boyfriend."
Elma's father nodded weakly. "I'm glad she's found someone like you," he said. "Someone who cares about her."
As the day wore on, Elma found herself opening up to her father in ways she never thought possible. They talked about the past, about the things that had driven them apart, and about the things that had brought them back together.
It wasn't easy, but Elma knew that she had to try. She had to forgive her father, not for him, but for herself. For her own healing and closure.
As the sun began to set, Elma's father drifted off to sleep, exhausted. Elma leaned over and kissed his forehead.
"I love you, Dad," she whispered.
When she turned to Liam, she saw tears in his eyes. "I'm proud of you," he said. "You're strong and brave."
Elma smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but with Liam by her side, she felt like she could face anything.
But as they left the hospital, Elma couldn't shake off the feeling that her father's recovery was uncertain. Would he make a full recovery, or would this be the last time she saw him?