Kate
John was one of the best known dads in the neighborhood. Aside from his slight addiction to alcohol, John was recognized by the neighborhood families for taking excellent care of his daughter, Kate. Kate was a high spirited child with gorgeous blue eyes and a smile that could turn the world upside down. She was lively and always on the move. Kate was most definitely a daddy’s girl, always tagging along with John to go to the grocery store, movies, parks, bowling alleys, you name it. Kate would sprint to the back of John’s BMW and hop in her booster seat with such excitement and wonder on what plans were in store for today.
“Where are we going today, daddy?” Kate exclaimed.
“Well, I need to make a quick grocery run and I also need to fill up on gas.” John said. “If you behave, maybe we can stop by the park on the way home.”
“Really? Sounds good to me!” Kate said with excitement.
As John is driving, he looks in his rearview mirror to see his ecstatic daughter, and, as usual, she’s smiling with joy. Words can’t express his love and gratitude for her. A few days later, John packs up the car for Kate’s soccer game.
“Kate! Are you ready to go?” the father shouts.
“Yes sir, I’m coming.” says Kate. “Where is my game today?
“It’s at Spring Creek.”
“Oh, really? I like playing there. The fields are really nice, they are really even and have barely any bumps.” Kate explained.
“I agree,” John said. “The drive to the fields is also nice, I love being able to take you every weekend.”
“And I love riding with you, Daddy. More than anything!” says Kate.
The referee walks to the center of the field and the game kicks off with Kate scoring her 3rd goal of the season. Her teammates were quick to swarm her and express their happiness and excitement for her.
“That’s my girl!” shouts John.
Kate looked at him and smiled. This sent butterflies into John’s stomach. Her smile never failed to amuse him. During the trip home, John endlessly complimented Kate’s great successes during this evening’s game. Kate blushes.
“You know I do it for you, Dad.” says Kate. “Right?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I love you.”
“I love you more.”
It’s Friday night and the family decided they wanted to go out to dinner. John is the first to finish getting ready, so he grabs the keys to the car, starts it, and waits for the
others. He cracks the windows down about halfway in order to feel the cool, evening breeze. He hears the front door open, close, and then sees his daughter run to the vehicle and hop in the back. She climbs in her booster seat and begins to talk with her Dad. She is extremely excited for tonight’s dinner. After all, they’re going to her favorite restaurant; Chuy’s. As they are talking, John notices some of the neighbors out on a walk. When they pass by the vehicle, they notice John talking and exchange confused looks with each other. John notices this but doesn’t make anything of it.
“What do you think you are going to eat tonight?” John asks politely.
“A bean and cheese burrito with some rice!” says Kate. “With a Dr. Pepper and some chips and queso.”
John giggles. “I should have known, you do love your bean and cheese burritos.”
As John and Kate continue to conversate, Lilly, John’s wife, and Kate’s mother, shuts the front door and locks it. As she is walking to the car, she notices her husband talking about their daughters favorite food. She approaches the open window of the driver’s seat and looks at John.
“Who are you talking to?” Lilly exclaims.
“What do you mean?” says John.
Lilly takes a deep breath and sighs. “John,” she says. “It’s been 2 years. I know that you were drunk and that you have a hard time remembering, but you have to move on.”
John blinks his eyes rapidly and shakes his head, as if he was waking up from a trance. He looks down at the steering wheel to see the Ford logo. He picks his head up and turns around to look at the backseat. There was no booster seat and there was no Kate.
