My Life for Yours
Page 17
“Uncle G’s coming over? I can’t wait, Dad.” She smiles up at me from her desk in the study as she switches the computer off. I watch her whistling on her way to wash up and her carefree and happy attitude puts a smile on my own face.
I’m standing in the doorway thinking about Frankie when I hear the timer to dinner and the doorbell go off at the same time. I walk on over and open the door knowing its G.
“Hey man,” G announces as he walks in and shuts the door behind him. “Where’s that gorgeous little girl hiding? And what the fuck, ahem, I mean what have you cooked that’s creating that delicious smell?” G stands tall in my kitchen as he’s followed me in here.
I open my mouth to tell him I’ve made a roast with baked potato, sweet potato and peas when I hear the happy sound of our daughter. “UNCLE G,” she screams out and runs up to him. Her hug is enveloping and warm and I can tell by the look on G’s face he loves her cuddles as much as she likes to give them to him.
“You’re looking more and more beautiful every time I see you. You look so much like your Momma, Jasmine.”
The air turns icy and we all suddenly find the floor with our eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean……” G starts.
“It’s okay, anyway help me with dinner. Sweetheart can you set the table please?”
“Sure thing, Dad” My princess turns to take the plates and cutlery out as G and I take dinner to the dining table.
Jasmine sets four places and G watches in wonder.
“Isn’t it time that you packed that away?” G asks nodding his head gently to the place setting that’s always at the head of the table.
“I’m not ready yet,” Is all I say to G. He averts his eyes and turns to give Jasmine another hug.
Dinner goes by with no more mention of my wife and once it’s done Jasmine says she’s going to finish her homework and have a shower before bed.
G and I are in the kitchen as Jasmine’s safely out of hearing distance.
“How’s business?” I ask G.
“You don’t want to know.”
“I don’t want her in that life, G, you know that.”
“Neither do I. How are you doing anyway?”
“I’m okay.”
The rest of our conversation focuses on Jasmine and her schooling and her activities of dancing, martial arts, guitar and singing.
Half an hour later G tells me he has to get going but promises to come back for our monthly get together.
Jasmine calls me into her room as she makes her way into bed.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Sweetheart.”
“Was it because of me that Mommy died?”
My heart leaps up into my mouth and tears are starting to form behind my eyes. Every once in a while Jasmine needs to be reassured that her Mom’s death wasn’t because of her.
“Scoot over,” I sit on the edge of Jasmine’s bed, move her so she’s sitting on my lap and I gently start smoothing her hair. I kiss her on her forehead before I say anything to her. Taking a few minutes to gather my thoughts, “No one knew that Mommy had a sick heart. Mommy didn’t even know. Mommy held you in her arms and gave you a kiss before her heart stopped working. I know she died happy because she got to hold you and cuddle you, even though it was only for a few moments.” The tears have broken through and I think about this amazing little girl and I also think about her courageous mother.
“I miss her, Daddy.” Jasmine whispers.
“Sweetheart I miss her so much too. You know when Mommy and I found out we were pregnant with you, I was just so happy. And Mommy,” I shake my head and a smile appears, “I would catch her when she thought that no one was around, singing to you and rubbing her tummy. She’d tell you that when you were older you had to stay away from the bad kids and that she’d always be there for you no matter what happened. I remember this one conversation that she was having with you just before you were born. She was lying down in our bedroom and I had come back from being out with Uncle G. Mommy mustn’t have heard me come in because I could hear her talking so I stayed just outside the bedroom door so she couldn’t see me. She said ‘little one I’ll always be there for you, if you ever feel like you’re all alone then all you need to do is look up to the moon and say Momma once and know that I’ll be there in a heartbeat.’ Maybe we can go sit outside for a little while and talk to Mommy because, Princess, I miss her so much too. But know this, Jasmine, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ll spend the rest of my life protecting you because I love you so much.” I hold Jasmine in my arms and my entire body’s fighting the rage of losing my wife, but I remain calm as I lead our daughter to my bedroom balcony where we sit outside and look up at the sky. The moon’s full and golden, the stars just twinkling, and it reminds me of the time I took Frankie out for an evening picnic.
Jasmine cuddles into my side and lifts her beautiful head to look up into the stars; I close my eyes that are now free falling with tears as I listen to our daughter talk to her Mom about her life with me. Our daughter says, “Mom, I miss you and I can tell Dad does too. I hear him crying sometimes when he thinks I’m asleep. We still set the table for you and I know you come and sit with us through dinner. Dad tries cooking but sometimes it’s just not good Mommy.” I smile at her words but don’t dare break the connection she has with her Mom. “I really hope you’re watching over us Mommy. I love you and please help Daddy so he’s not hurting so much; he says he’s getting better but I know he’s just saying that for me.”
The lump in my throat grows and the tears just won’t stop. But that’s okay because I remind myself that even though my tenacious Mob Boss Frankie has died, I still have the most beautiful caring and loving daughter, Frankie and I could have ever been blessed with.
THE END
Other books by Margaret McHeyzer
HiT 149 – Available now on Amazon
Anna Brookes is the most dangerous woman that you hope you will never know.
Her life of danger started the day she turned 15.
The thirteen years that follow shapes her life to become the most deadly and lethal woman.
HiT 149 becomes her most difficult target. Does she pull the trigger or does she risk becoming the target herself?
Anna Brookes In Training – Available now on Amazon
Imagine watching your Father die in front of you because two men were sent to take you. The two men were sent by Roman Murphy, the boss of Hunter Inc. The sole job of Hunter Inc is to train and produce assassins.
Anna Brookes, a 15 year old girl with a love and panache for precision and handling of weapons was sort out by Hunter Inc.
One evening she encounters Lukas, a man she saves but a man who ultimately goes on to save her.
The months that follow sees Anna's intuition heightened and defined.
She is forced to deal with techniques that no ordinary 15 year old girl should ever encounter in their lives.
HiT for Freedom – Coming December 2013 on Amazon
Anna Brookes also known by her Professional name 15, did what she had never done before.
She didn’t kill her target, HiT 149.
HiT 149 better known as Ben Pearson did something he’d never done before.
He fell in love with Anna Brookes.
In Hit for Freedom, the sequel to HiT 149, a nemesis so powerful, terrifying and frightening is threatening the safety of Anna’s love, Ben and his hometown, St Cloud.
15 must deal with a force that may be too dangerous even for her skilled ways. With limited information on her new HiT, she willingly infiltrates his trust to acquire the knowledge she needs to implode the operations of the deadly man.
Binary Law (Co – Authored under Pen Name MH Grace) - Available now on Amazon
Ellie Andrews has been receiving tutoring from Blake McCarthy for three years to help her improve her grades so she can get into one of the top universities to study law. And she’s had a huge crush on him since she can remember.
Blake McCarthy is the geek at school that’s had a crush on Ellie since the day he met her.
In their final tutoring session, Blake and Ellie finally become brave enough to take the leap of faith.
But, life has other plans and rips them apart.
Six years later Blake and his best friends Ben and Billy have built a successful internet platform company 3BCubed, while Ellie is a successful and hardworking lawyer specialising in Corporate Law.
3BCubed is being threatened with a devastatingly large plagiarism case and when it lands on their lawyers desk, it’s handed to the new Corporate Lawyer to handle and win.
Coincidence or perhaps fate will see Blake and Ellie pushed back together.
Binary Law will have Blake and Ellie propelled into a life that’s a whirl wind of catastrophic events and situations where every emotion will be touched. Hurt will be experienced, happiness will be presented and love will be evident. But is that enough for Blake and Ellie be able to live out their own happily ever after?
Coming Soon
Quid Pro Quo (Co – Authored under Pen Name MH Grace) - Available December 2013
Binary Sound (Co – Authored under Pen Name MH Grace) – Available 2014
Yes, Master – Available 2014