I sat down on the too-long grass and started at the slab of grey cement.
“Rodger Waters” It read in bold print at the top. “Beloved father of Lacey Waters, you will be missed.” Was right under. Then came a poem in italic font,
“If tears could build a staircase, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven, and bring you down again.”
I stared at the stone, and tears came to my eyes. I wanted to go up to heaven and bring him back, but I couldn’t do that, the most I could do was look to him for guidance, which, many can’t say now, even when their parents are alive.”
“Hi daddy.” I sad to the tombstone, feeling a little aqward, but at the same time, natural.
“I really do miss you. I’ve been good, I can make it to the toilet on time. – How’s heaven? I bet it’s nice up there, Angela said that you are probably sitting with Jesus right now playing poker. I hope you are, I know you used to love poker. – I hope that you are having a good time. I know I am. – Angela and Adam are really nice dad, I am with good people, but they could never replace you. – I start school tomorrow, did you know that? You probably did, but I was just telling you anyways. – I brought you roses, just like the ones we used to grow in the garden at home. You will really like them. – I also help Angela with their garden, but ours was prettier. – I miss you a lot. Do you remember that song we used to sing? The one that you sang to me when I was sad? I wish I could hear it now. Sometimes, I sing it to myself, becuase it reminds me of you, is that weird? – Well, I hope not. This is a really pretty place daddy, you must be pretty happy. I’m sorry for anything I ever did to you, I know I was a pretty big brat sometimes. – I hope you don’t mind me calling Adam dad, I do sometimes, but he will never be a great dad like you were. I really want you back sometimes, I want you to hold me in your arms, or make your famous pancakes on Sunday’s. I want to be back in our old house. – I know that can’t happen, it’s okay daddy. I know you are watching over me, I hope I don’t dissapoint you, I try my best to live up to everything you wanted me to be. – Anyways dad, here’s your flowers, I love you.”
I placed the flowers in front of his tomb stone and kissed it, hoping that he would feel the love. I got up and looked for a while longer, finally turning back to the car and getting in.
“Ready to go?” Angela asked me.
“Yeah, I’m tired, I think I’m just going to go to bed when I get home.
The sky darkened quite a bit while I sat there, and the trees now cast long shadows over the road. It would be scary to me if I wasn’t so peaceful. I saw the beauty in the big strong branches, swaying in the wind. The moon was rising, and was a thin sliver of silver in the mass of dark blue. Some stars were scattered about, but you couldn’t really see them, probably because I live in the city. Angela’s hand patted my leg and rubbed it, I took it and squeezed it tight. She looked over with a sparkle in her eye, and a smile. I smiled back and went back to looking out the window.
Once we turned down our street, and the house came into view we saw that Adam was home already.
“Dad’s home early,” I commented.
“Yeah, I guess he is.” Angela replied.
We pulled up into the driveway and I got out and walked inside.
“Hey sweetheart, how was your day?” Adam asked me.
“It was good, how come your home early?” I replied.
“Becuase I went and picked up a special going back to school present for you.” He said.
“Oooh really? What is it?” I asked him.
“Well, two suprises, but conditons. For the first one, you can’t take to school with you, and you have to be responsible for everything.”
“Okay!” I said getting more excited by the minute.
“The second one, you have to work for, which means, chores and helping around the house, so you can use it and keep it.” He said.
“Okay! Show me!” I said excitedly.