Today's the big day. Uncle Jamie is graduating from the police academy. I was in my room looking for something to wear when I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in," I said. Mom gently opened the door and walked in.
"Josie, is everything okay," Mom asked, "Why are you still in your pajamas?"
"I'm fine," I answered, "I'm just having a hard time choosing what to wear for Uncle Jamie's graduation. Will you help me get ready, please?"
"Of course I will, Josie," Mom said softly. I showed her the outfit I was planning to wear. It was a garnet spaghetti strap tanktop, a gray sweater, my favorite jean skirt, black leggings, and my favorite black combat boots.
"I don't know if this is too casual for the occasion or if I should wear it."
"I think you should wear it," Mom smiled, "Go into your bathroom and change quickly and I'll do your hair while you do your makeup." I quickly ran into the bathroom and changed. When I got back, Mom had me sit at my vanity so she could curl my shoulder length blonde hair as I started putting my makeup on.
"If Dad had it his way, he wouldn't let me wear makeup," I laughed.
"Well, Josie, you know you're beautiful without it, right," Mom said as she started curling a new strand of hair.
"I know, but sometimes wearing makeup is mandatory," I responded as Mom smiled. When we finished, I grabbed my phone and my iPod and Mom and I went to the car with Sean and Jack. Dad came out five minutes later and got into the driver's seat.
"I can't believe my kid brother's graduating from the academy today," Dad said.
"Feels like yesterday he was graduating from Harvard," I said.
"Joselle Augustine, why are you wearing makeup," Dad said.
"Danny, stop, I was around her age when I was wearing makeup," Mom said.
"Relax, Linda, I was only joking," Dad said. The rest of the drive was somewhat quiet. I'm surprised Jack and Sean weren't fighting. We went in and grabbed seats by Sydney, Aunt Erin, and Nicky. Nicky came over to sit by me. We watched as Grandpa and Pops walked up to the stage followed by the newest police officers. I wish Uncle Joe could be here to watch Uncle Jamie graduate. It's been different without him here. Grandpa gave a speech welcoming the new officers to the force, and they all threw their gloves in the air.
When we all went to congratulate Uncle Jamie, Dad got a call about a missing girl.
"Dad, can I go with you" I asked.
"Josie, I need you to help me make dinner tonight," Mom said.
"Fine," I groaned, "Bye, Dad. Love you."
"Bye, sweetie," Dad said as he kissed Mom, "Bye, Josie. Bye, boys, be good." We went home and started dinner.
"Should I make a plate for Dad," I asked Mom.
"I'm sure he'd appreciate that very much, Josie," Mom smiled. I grabbed a plate, Saran wrap, a pen and some sticky notes for Dad's plate. I loved writing him little notes when he was out working late. I pulled the cap off of the pen and wrote:
Dad, I just wanted you to know that you're the best father ever. I couldn't ask for a better man to call my father. I hope you enjoy your dinner. I don't know when you'll get home, but if you need some company while you eat, I'll be upstairs in my room. I don't mind if you wake me up. I just want to spend time with you. I love you so much, Dad. -Josie
I wrapped Dad's plate up with the Saran wrap and placed the note on top.
"Hold up, what's on top of the Saran wrap," Mom asked.
"It's a note for Dad to read," I said, "I told him if he needed some company while he ate that I'd be completely willing to be with him."
"That's sweet of you, Josie," Mom said as she hugged me tightly, "I'll let you stay up until your father goes to bed, deal?"
"Deal," I smiled, "Mom, can I ask you something?"
"What is it, sweetheart," Mom said.
"Do you ever get worried that one day Dad won't come home," I asked.
"I worry everyday," Mom answered, "I started getting more and more worried after your Uncle Joe was killed. Why do you ask?"
"Sometimes I have these horrifying dreams that Dad gets killed," I said as tears start falling, "I wake up crying and praying to God that nothing bad ever happens to him." Mom wrapped her arms around me and told me that everything would be okay. And I believed that every day until Grandpa got shot.