Chapter One: Dreams Of Gardeians

reliving a life lived

 

 

How long does it take to sum up a lifetime of loving? How long does it take to tell your father of thirty-one years goodbye? Would you cherish each word, or would your thoughts rest on your burden at hand? He was there when you drew your first breath, and it will be your crowning moment to honor him as he draws his last.

 

 

 

“It’s time to take your blood pressure. 98 over 56 hmm? I think I could do a better job regulating your pressure than this twelve-year-old you have as a doctor. I’m going to grab your coffee and tapioca. When I get back be prepared to lose at Domino’s.”

 

 

 

Howard could see the thirty-one-year-old walking off like she didn’t have a care in the world, but he knew better. More than that, he was proud of the joy she shared with him, even though he could see the tension set high on her shoulders. She faded down the hall, into a chestnut-capped, ivory blur. The room dimming as he faintly heard her voice.

 

 “My lord,” he thought, how that girl sounded like her mother.

 

 

 

A single stroke of the clock brought a treasured memory to life. A long slow, heavy breath and He was walking up to the ticket window. “. 20 cents for the two of you.” He could recall the woman to say. Emma never looked lovelier than that first night. Time might have taken her from his side, but never his heart. She never seemed to change from that girl he first knew, she only seemed to become more. Chestnut hair long and flowing slightly tossed from the wind to her ivory dress with a sweetheart neckline and a black velvet choker and the scent of Gardenias. 

 

 

 

Hmm, Gardenias that smell alone could ease his pain, and take the edge off of dying. It seemed with each new day, Emma was sweeter, and with each new day, he hated one more thing. She was his saving grace, and the last nineteen years after his retirement was his greatest gift to her. For it was in those days he learned how to live.

 

 

 

The mind is a wonderful thing, his nostrils still full from his memory, and Emma’s soft, slow southern drawl…slowly turned into Sarah’s “Daddy? Daddy, I have your coffee.” His daydream ended as quickly as it began. A long slow pleasing smile spread across his face. His eyes twinkled as he barked. 

 

 

 

“Don’t think for a moment I’m going to let you win at Dominoes. As a matter of fact, break out the score pad.” Three games came and went, and three games she beat him laughing and giggling like a child. 

 

 

 

“I have to go pick up some medicine, so behave for Uncle Bill when he gets here. Another cranky old cop I might add. 

 

 

 

Uncle Bill is Two years older and hardly sick a day in his life. Never married, for good reason the cranky old fart, but a heart of gold where daddy was concerned.

 

 

 

If you look past the wrinkles, you can see the hint of a scare in the palm of his hands. Where he had pulled Howard from a fire when they were boys. The two played together, fought together, served their country together. Joined the police academy together and was seldom apart. Howard never pulled Bill from a fire or took a bullet for his brother, but he was able to deliver one in his behalf late one night. This is where our story will begin:

Author's Note

any comments are welcome

Reviews

[bluessadmood]

Oh my friend how you touched me with this,very few people would think of their parents so lovingly this way..
i can judge people through how much they love those people who brought them to life and cared for them over the years
i really liked this girl.nursing her father ,who ever in these days will care that much..
yes i would really like to know more about her..
lovely touching write..

[roarke]

Good first chapter, sets the stage well for the following scenes. You have a good feel for family relationships. The flashbacks work very natural in this setting. Good choices.

[MockingJuliet]

Very good writing. Im interested in seeing where this goes.