Page 50 of Wick
He laughs. "That I did."
Malik steps out through the back door onto the deck. "Hey." He grabs my attention, and I lean my head back. Bending, Malik kisses me.
"Did you take care of the thing you said you had to do before we head home?" I ask him.
"Yep." His answer is short, and even though I want to ask what he was up to, I decided not to pry.
Sydney runs across the yard, the puppy hot on her heels, and jogs up the deck steps. "Grandpa, can I come to vista Misha anytime I want?"
"You sure can. Come to think of it," my dad shifts in his seat, "I meant to ask the two of you if you will dog sit for a couple of weeks?" His eyes dart from me then to Malik. "You see, the annual fishing trip the veterans take every year is in a few days."
All I can do is shake my head. He's a sneaky one, my dad. Proving my point that the very reason he got the dog was for Sydney. Now he's trying to find a way to make Misha hers, permanently. Sydney loses it. Most of the time, she's a chill laid back kid, but the mention of Misha possibly going home with us brings out girl squeals of excitement.
"Oh my god! Aunt Vayda, please." Her face beams, and I don't have it in me to say no.
"Malik, what do you say?" I stand from my chair.
"I'm cool with it." He says, making one eleven-year-old girl very happy. She rushes to hug my dad's neck.
"I promise to take care of her while you're gone, Grandpa." My dad hugs her in return.
"I'm sure you will. Her leash is on the counter in the kitchen, and her bowl and food are sitting on top of the washer in the laundry room," he tells her, and Sydney is quick to run inside to gather everything.
My dad stands, and I embrace him. "I wish we could stay longer," I tell him. "Call me when you get back from your trip."
"I will, Pumpkin," he kisses my cheek, then faces Malik. "Son," he extends his hand. "Take care of my girls. Make sure to get them home safely."
"Always, Sir."
Loaded in the truck,Sydney in the back with the dog on her lap, we wave at my dad who's standing on the front porch as the truck backs out of the driveway. Before leaving town, Malik takes a detour. I look at him, confused. "Where are we going?"
"I need to make one more stop before we leave." Once he turns on Barnett Road, I realize where we are heading.
"Why are we at a cemetery?" Sydney asks from the backseat.
Twisting in my seat, I look at her curious face. "This is where your dad is buried, Sweetie." She peers out the window, becoming quiet.
The truck comes to a stop along the roadside. Climbing out of the truck, the three of us, plus the dog, make our way to my brother's headstone that sits beneath a large oak tree. It's been a while since I've come out here, but the fresh flowers and small unweathered American flag placed bedside his headstone let me know it hasn’t been long since my dad has visited him. I look over at Sydney and tears pool in her eyes.
"Do you think he would have liked me?" she questions.
Grabbing her free hand, I give it a gentle squeeze. "No doubt in my mind, your dad loves you. He may not be here physically, honey, but he is with you." Reaching out, I place her hand over her heart. "In here."
Sydney sniffles. "I asked my mom if she would take me to where my dad was buried. It made her really sad, and she started crying. I never asked her again."
"Depression is an awful illness, Sydney, so is addiction. If she weren't so sick, she would have brought you here."
"I know." Her face lifts. "But I'm glad I'm here now," she says before asking, "can I go sit in the truck for a few minutes?"
"Sure," I tell her knowing she needs a little time to herself and watch her and Misha walk back to the truck. "I'll let you have your privacy," I tell Malik then start to walk away. He grabs me by the hand.
"Stay," he says. Turning around, I stand by his side as he begins. "I don't know where to start." Malik rubs the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, Damien. I'm sorry I haven't been back here since the day we lowered you into the ground."
It wasn't until now with his apology that I realize Malik stayed away for so long. I squeeze his hand, and he continues. "You were my best friend—my brother, and I let you down. The guilt of you dying eats me up inside. It should have been me that day. It's hard for me to feel any different, but I'm finally starting to work on it. I have your sister to thank for that." Tilting his head back, Malik closes his eyes. "You have a daughter. Can you fuckin' believe that?"
Malik laughs through his emotions. "Damien, she is so much like you and Vayda. Strong, resilient, headstrong, loyal." He pauses for a moment, then glances at me. "I love her, Damien. I do." It's the first time I've heard him say those words, and my heart skips a beat. Malik looks back down, talking to the headstone. "You asked me years ago to watch after her if something ever happened to you. I kept my promise. Now, I'm here to make another promise I intend to keep. I promise to watch after her and love her for the rest of my life." Turning his body to face me, Malik drops to one knee, and I forget how to breathe.
Malik is about to propose to me, right in the middle of the cemetery.
