Continuous as the stars that shine

by Kristena Mears
Photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash

I had never felt old before. Until now.

I dropped the phone onto the table as my legs buckled, and I sank into the chair beside me.

When my husband arrived, I was still there in the same chair staring at the same age-old spot in the carpet. He was jabbering away about something I didn’t understand and didn’t care about.

Then again, he could have come in announcing we had just won a million dollars from Publishers Clearing House, and I wouldn’t have cared.

I tuned him out.

“Daddy’s dead” I mumbled.

Ah.. what? What’d you say”

“Daddy… he’s dead.” I repeated louder.

“Oh wow”

He came over the, wiggled into the chair next to me and scooped me up onto his lap. I laid my head on his shoulder and again gazed out blankly in front of me; this time at our family picture that hung, slightly crooked, over the T.V.

“I can’t do this. Not again. That’s the third one this year. First Meg, then Mom, and now…”

“I know, Sweetheart, I’m so sorry, but we both know it’s not really the end. It’s really the beginning… and, right now, he’s wrapped in the arms of the One he loves most”

For the first time, I let the tears flow as I nodded.

“You waited until I came by last night, didn’t you Daddy? I’m so glad you called.”

I let out a muffled cry before whispering.

“Daddy, give Mom and my sis a hug for me.”

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