IF I WERE A RICH MAN

“I don’t want to be a burden to my children,” my dad had said years ago.

I could hear the sad echo of his voice and the hopeless despair he’d gained from becoming what he’d feared.

I needed him to know he’s not a burden. I stopped writing so I could call.

He answered on the fourth ring. His voice was faint, like a muffled heartbeat heard through a broken stethoscope.

“Eat your breakfast, Dad,” I said before he could finish trying to speak.