Parents Say the Darnedest Things

So, sis is curled up in my mom's bed, glad to finally have a Saturday morning to herself. I am standing in the middle of the floor, talking inanely. Dad walks in, fusses at about a lot of little things and repeats how glad he is to see us. Then he says,

"I have to tell y'all something. I might have colon cancer. But I don't want you to worry about it."

And I think, in a totally disrespectful manner, Daddy, that is a STUPID thing to say.

But I don't say that. I just stand there feeling this weird hot then cold sensation, like my face is burning but my insides are cold. Sis is firing off all the right questions--why do they think that? when will you find out? what kind of treatment can you get given the failing kidneys and the diabetes? are you going to hide stuff from us? But then, she is bold enough to say,

"Don't tell us not to worry, Daddy."

And he is calm enough to reply, "We aren't going to worry. We're going to find out, we're going to pray, and we're going to let the Lord's will be."

And I say, incongruously, "My speeding ticket is due September 12."