After a shower and a granola bar, I headed to my dad’s house. I normally called ahead to let him know that I was coming, but I didn’t this time. With so many other things running wild through my mind, I just forgot. If he asked, I’d say I wanted to surprise him.

It would be a surprise because I was a terrible daughter and I didn’t visit enough. Even with, or maybe because of, the fear that his illness caused me, I couldn’t bring myself to brave the awkwardness of ...