Nine Years Ago
I skipped out of the Watson Theater holding on tight to Daddy's hand. For over an hour, I had filled my belly with soda pop, caramel popcorn, and chocolate covered peanuts. My mind swirled from the sugar high and the wonders of movie magic.
Fat flakes of snow floated down from the sky coloring the whole outside world white. I tilted my head back and tried to catch one on my tongue. "Look, Daddy."
He laughed at my silliness. "Did you like the movie, Princess?"
"Oh, yes, very much." I giggled. "Someday I will marry a handsome prince and live happily ever after in a great big castle."
We walked through the narrow alley to our pumpkin-orange car, a classic Camaro we had nicknamed Cinderella's Carriage. Daddy opened the back door for me. "When you find your Prince Charming, don't forget about your Old Dad."
I climbed onto the seat and buckled the belt. Daddy shut my door and got in the front. He started the engine and turned on the windshield wipers.
"I'll never forget you, Daddy," I promised.
He smiled at me in the rear view mirror as he backed out of the parking space and headed home. On the way out of town, we passed mannequins of an old man and woman riding in a one-horse-open sleigh.
"Daddy, please play 'Sleigh Ride.' It's my favorite."
He turned on the stereo. I loved the sound of his deep voice as we sang together about sleigh bells ringing and other wonderful things to remember. At the word 'lives,' he gasped. The mirror reflected the fear in his green eyes.
What did Daddy see on the road?
I peered out the windshield through the swishing wipers and the falling snow. A red sports car swerved across the double yellow lines into our lane and headed straight for us. Daddy stomped on the brakes. My head flew forward. The seat belt pulled me back, squeezing my chest so tight I couldn't breathe.
The piercing screech of the brakes vibrated through my body and echoed in my mind as the two car hoods scrunched together like a giant red and orange accordion. The windshield shattered into millions of tiny, sharp diamonds that sparkled and glowed and then faded away . . .
As my senses gradually returned, I heard sirens in the distance and Daddy saying my name. "Jasmine . . . Jasmine, are you okay?"
The stench of burnt rubber stung my nose, and I sneezed. My chest hurt where the seat belt still dug into my skin. I opened my eyes and saw Daddy pinched between the bent steering wheel and the driver's seat. Streaks of blood and bits of glass covered his face and clothes.
Daddy was hurt. I had to be brave, even if I was scared.
"Y-Yesss," I answered, shivering. "B-but I'm ssso cold." Icy snow blew into the car through the broken windows. I brushed the white crystals off my brand new, red wool coat.
"Help is on the way, " Daddy assured me, but his voice was very weak. "Just stay where you are until they get here, and remember . . . I love you . . . always . . . forever. Remember . . ."
His eyes closed.
"Daddy, wake up!"
He didn't move.
I pressed the red button on my seat belt, but the buckle didn't budge. I tugged at the strap, but the harder I pulled, the tighter it became.
"Daddy, please help me!" I screamed.
But Daddy couldn't hear me anymore.
Author's Note: In the prologue, Jasmine is eight years old. In the rest of the story, she is 17.
Video above was Homesick by Mercy Me.
"The reason why I'm broken
The reason why I cry is
How long must I wait to be with you?"
Forever Remember to Live, Laugh, and LOVE! - 3L
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