He taught me how to read other people’s
eyes. It has been so useful throughout
my life, especially once I perfected the gift.
I was able to discern who was lying and who exactly was being
sincere. Many times I saw things I didn’t
want to see like the brutal honesty I would have happily chosen to ignore if
only to enjoy mind boggling, curl your toes sex, just a bit longer. He always knew what was best for me. Looking through the windows of the soul
straight to someone’s heart isn’t always a gift. Oftentimes over the years it has proven to be
a curse. For example, it is like being
able to read Jon so very well just by glimpsing his eyes and knowing he was
only there for sex, no more, no less. My
feelings didn’t matter to him, only the earth shattering quickies. He quickly forgot me and our daughter Megan
as soon as Theresa crossed his path. Obviously
she was the real deal, and I simply wasn’t.
Not for him anyways.
When my heart laid in shatters
around me, your quiet strength and unconditional love took me in. I fell into your arms as I always did and
you, being you, comforted me and helped me to forget how much Jon mattered. You always believed in me. With no questions asked, you allowed me to
move back home and bring Megan. You
became the father figure she desperately yearned for and reminded me what a
wonderful Dad you had always been. A
lone tear drifted down my face as I quietly held your hand willing you to open
your eyes so I could understand, make peace with my heart, and tell you to
fight to stay. Except for the solitary
lamp lit by your bed, the room was dark.
Still I could see the Escher lithograph that had hung on your bedroom
wall ever since I could remember. I had
always been fascinated by the building and the steps leading to it from
somewhere far off in the imagination sight unseen. I always imagined that perhaps those steps
led to the heaven where Mama had resided since I was nine.
Your breath caught, pulling my eyes to
your face as your eyes fluttered opened.
Your normally brilliant blue eyes seemed abnormally big as you took me
in. You struggled to speak…but you had taught me
well. I saw the finality of goodbye in
your eyes and the sadness that etched your features.
“Always remember what I taught you
Emma. You will always find whatever you
need to know within people’s eyes. I
know you can see the end in mine. Don’t
be sad for me. Be strong. Your mother is waiting and we will finally be
together again. Live your live
passionately, my dear Emma. Be happy. Know that I love you, and we will be together
again.” The ghost of a smile crossed his
features. He gasped another shallow
breath, and then all was still. I gazed
into the vacant vessel that had once housed one of the most precious souls that
ever touched my life and knew. He was
gone, and I was now alone with the rest of my life before me. Wiping the flood
of tears that fell unchecked, I thanked God for blessing me with this soul who
had impacted my life so much and prayed for the strength to continue living
without his guidance.
I knew what I
needed to do now. No one must ever
know! They could never
suspect…ever. I hurried down the hall to
the bathroom where I quickly shaved my head, changed my clothes, and perfected
my disguise. School let out in
approximately 15 minutes. I had already
laid the groundwork letting the school know that Megan’s long lost father would
be picking her up from school this afternoon. With my hair shaved, I could easily pass for a
man. I hurried out the back, dropping a
match as I went. The gasoline quickly
did its job, engulfing the house into an inferno of flames. I slipped out the back gate and hurried up
the sidewalk two blocks where a car awaited.
I hurried into the back seat, nodded to the driver, and the black BMW
sped off to pick up Megan. I vowed to look forward to our new life in France. It is long past
time to make dreams into reality. Daddy always did know best.
This story was written for the Speak Easy writing prompt where we were to start our story with "He taught me how to read other people's eyes." and to make a reference to the picture that I have shared with the post. The story was to be 750 words or fewer. My story is 743 words. The story was adjusted from the original June 19, 2014 in the effort to clear up any confusion about the fate of Megan that several readers had. I hope you enjoy my story.
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