Page 99 of Little Dark Deeds
“I think you can speak to her, and you should.Sure, you might not be able to see her, but I like to believe she’d still hear you somehow.”
“I’d like to believe it, too.”
“I talk to her here and there.Something will come to mind—a fond memory—and I just say what’s on my mind.This may sound strange, but it’s brought me a lot of comfort.”
“It doesn’t sound strange at all.”
He released my hand and bent down, placing the roses in front of the headstone.Touching the stone, he said, “I sure do miss you, darling.”
As he stood, he wiped a tear from his eye and said, “I think I’ll leave you two to talk.Same time next week?”
“Same time.You let me know if you need anything between now and then, okay?”
“You betcha.”
He waved and headed toward his car, leaving me alone with my thoughts.At first I struggled, trying to find my words.
And then ...
“I miss you.I miss your smile, your laugh, your advice.I wish you were here, and we were at the local pub, laughing over a couple of cocktails as we catch up on our crazy lives.It’s not the same without you, and I doubt it will ever be.And even though I solved your case, it doesn’t seem like it’s enough.But I want you to know I’m looking out for your dad, just like you asked.Wherever you are, know I’m thinking of you and hoping you’re at peace.”
Message delivered, I stood there for a time, taking in the quiet stillness around me.As my eyes wandered, they came to land on a beautiful woman several rows away.She was walking hand in hand with a child.The more I stared at them, the more they reminded me of Tiffany and my daughter, Fallon, somehow.
The woman smiled, and I smiled back.Then I crouched down, placing the wildflowers I’d brought next to her father’s roses.When I stood back up, I turned, looking for the woman and child.But they had disappeared.
It was like they’d never been there in the first place—almost.
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The End
