I’m doing the best that I can

I leaned into his right side where his good ear is and said, “I love you dad, I hope you have a good day today. I’ll see you next time, ok?”

He stoped fidgeting with his hands against his cereal bowl and placed them down in his lap as he sat back in his chair. He usually seems so tense and hunched over. Without looking at me, instead he was staring straight ahead, looking out the kitchen window. He seemed relaxed all of a sudden as he said, “I’m doing the best that I can.”

I said, “yeah Dad, I know man… I know”.