Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 34 - Freedom

Colin had gone into his office and brought Anna back a folder. She was standing in the kitchen with Christine, Christine's husband, and Caesar, who was packing up a tub of goodies for her to take on trip. They were excited and nervous for her while warning her not to talk to others as well as a list of other safety precautions.

Colin placed the folder on the counter nearly in front of her.

"What is this?" Anna asked but felt she knew.

"What I've done so far and projected ideas." Colin said trying to contain his own excitement. Pictures peeked out of the folder that he slid closer to her. Anna was eager to open it.

"Wow Daddy, these are amazing." Anna said looking at pictures of an island that was far more developed than what she had pictured. She had the idea of carrying a machete and bushwhacking a pathway everywhere she went, but it all looked so organized and beautifully structured already.

"This is your set, when you get back we'll discuss details, but this should give you some ideas when you are out shopping for the island."

Anna shifted through each page as Colin told her of a few things that included interactions from others on the island. Everyone had such great ideas to add that she was excited to start drawing it all out herself. This feeling was starting to root itself deeply in her heart.

"Thank you, Daddy!" Anna squealed delighted. "Did I tell you that I already named it?"

Everyone looked surprised hoping it wasn't childlike. They waited anxiously for her to tell them what she chose.

"Diamond Island." Anna said proudly. Everyone smiled in relief and expressed love for the name.

"You know Anna, you will still be able to travel to the states or whatever country you choose to visit after you turn eighteen." Colin acknowledged her previous plans. Anna nodded as her eyes filled with emotion, but she couldn't open her mouth in fear that the tears would spill over.

"I don't like how fast of pace it is to drive in California. I don't want to have to worry about you in an accident. We are leaving in a week but I want you here by Thursday, a promise I am holding you to. There is a lot to do here still." Colin threatened one last time.

"I am sure it is just as fast there as it is here. I've been driving in these conditions for a long time now and I promised you already Daddy. Remember this isn't my first trip driving."

Colin laughed at her idea of what long term meant to her.

"You've only been driving a few years that really isn't much experience."

"Yes, but I had the perfect instructor. Caesar did a fabulous job and you know how paranoid he is." Anna smiled as she slathered two little muffins with butter and jam. No food on the road was as good as Caesar's. She watched as everyone laughed remembering how frustrated Caesar was after each time he took Anna and Harmony driving. He cooked a feast on those nights to reduce his stress level. On that note, everyone gave Anna a farewell goodbye as they headed in their own directions to finish their lists before they had to leave the next day for Diamond Island. The excitement was hard to ignore and felt contagious.

Alone in the kitchen Anna looked seriously at her father who was chewing on a cookie as he watched her. Before he could penetrate her thoughts, she threw him off balance.

"Daddy if you are staying here you can't let Harmony in." Anna's stare held his with an underlying threat.

Colin almost choked on his cookie. Anna continued to watch as he sipped his orange juice while he tried to blink away the tears that had gathered from the experience. He started laughing at her unchanged expression.