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She’d been traveling 2 weeks now and feared she hadn’t reached her ultimate low. Eating only enough to keep the hunger pains at bay, she’d barely touched the $100 she found in her pocket. The note that was with it was nestled into her jacket pocket, unread. She wasn’t sure what it would say and was afraid the obligation to the generous soul, when she knew his name.
Three hours ago she had crossed the border of Washington and was now sitting in a small cafe. She stared down at the untouched sandwich sitting in front of her, tears forming in her eyes, as thoughts of her mother filled her mind.
"Josie, honey. You know I love you, right?"
"Of course, Momma." She leaned back into her mother’s embrace.
"Sweetie, your father’s not well."
"What do you mean?"
"The doctor said they can’t do anything for him." She felt her mother trembling and tried to grasp what she had just said.
"Cancer?"
"Yes..." A sob cut her short. "It started in his colon and has spread fast. By the time that stubborn old man went in, it was too late." Silence fell as Josie realized her father was dying. The man who had been her constant...the man who had tucked her in at night...the man who had loved her through everything, with the unconditional love that only a father can give. Her daddy.
"Josie, look at me." Slowly she sat up and turned to face her mother. "Your father is not himself. He’s different and I’m not sure if it’s emotional or the disease, but I’m afraid..."
"Of what? Daddy would never hurt you?"
"In my heart, I know that, but he doesn’t seem to be himself. I can’t explain it, but Josie..." She hesitated, looking desperately into Josie’s eyes. "...if I tell you to run, you grab Nick and go. Don’t ask questions and don’t look back. Promise me..."
"I promise, but it’ll never happen. Daddy’s so gentle and loving. It’ll be okay."
"I hope so, but Josie, you do as I say and don’t look back."
Josie snapped out of her reverie when a warm hand squeezed her shoulder.
"Honey, you okay?"
"Yeah." She ran her rough hands over her face to wake herself up. "I think I’m ready for my check and a to go box, please."
"Sure, but don’t worry about the check...it’s on me."
Okay...whew...Sorry about the time it took me to update....have been working a lot lately...and trying to catch up on my housework. Thanks for reading and please review, good or bad...
Thanks again, Mell