Author's Note: This chapter means a lot to me because of the subjects it will entail. I hope that the emotion I felt while writing this is conveyed through the words you will read. This chapter is short but it is a brief look into Darcy's past. I hope you all like it.
Enjoy: Sinx~ Ty
Chapter 8: When I close my eyes.
Easy as pie
I sat on my dad's old bike wobbling from left to right, even though his big arms held me still. My feet didn't come close to touching the ground. This giant contraption my father once called "The Chick Magnet" was obviously too much for me to handle. We had been at it for an hour, and all I had to show for the practice was a mental note of asking for a car on my twelfth birthday and two skinned knees. He whispered in my ear some motivation, only getting a sigh. Once again the strategy will end up as this: he pushes me a little, I freak out, then forget how to peddle, whichever comes first, I fall, cry for a good ten minutes, and back to the beginning we go. This time he nudged me on the back and I was off, so far so close to failing. Then he yelled.
"If you ride for at least five seconds, I'll take you for ice cream!"
I rode for ten just to make sure he kept his word.
Don't mess
I lay in my bed crying up a storm. No one ever told me how tough it would be as a seventh grader. I was finally a head honcho, but as soon as Sarah-Joan decides to throw a seventh graders' only party, I wasn't invited. It was almost like my dad had a "Darcy's sad radar" because he was there as soon as I started that weird breathing thing you do once you calm down from crying. He sat on my bed, my listening ear, as I told him about what was going on.
"You think maybe she's mad at you because you stole Jimmy Dawson away from her?"
It never occurred to me. I was so caught up with being a seventh grader that I neglected to realize how Jimmy and I were getting a lot closer. Then my mind was set. I was going to apologize immediately, though before my dad left the room he mentioned, "Oh yea um…and if that isn't the case, then uh…I have NO idea who egged her house."
Duet
I always listened to my mom play the piano when I needed to clear my mind. Since she died, I've had a lot of built up tension. Whether if it was worrying about being accepted to college or maybe what kind of shenanigan dad would fall into today, I just had no time to relax. I stepped into the house and instantly dropped my bags to the floor, extremely tired. The loud bangs were what drew my attention inside of the dining room. The shenanigans had definitely begun. I eased in the room, fearing the worst. There he was, Mr. Dad, with a setup of pots and pans hung up by strings from the ceiling fan. He banged away with old wooden spoons, amplifying the moment with his big goofy smile.
"Why you just standing there, girly? Pick up that guitar and let's play us a tune."
Down to my right was an old banjo. I'd ask questions later and embrace delight now.
"I call this Miss Darcy's Blues!"
Goodbye
I sat in his room day after day watching him never accept the matter at hand. He'd been lying in the same old hospital bed without getting up to take a shower because he thought that the nurses would kick him out. He was sick, he knew he had to be there, but he seemed like his old self. He'd always make jokes and do these constant fart sounds every time the doctor walked in.
He died at home because he thought the hospital was "cramping his style."
It came down to the day that the lawyer read me the will.
"I, Author Delaine, being of sound mind and body, do hereby leave my daughter Darcy Delaine a…."
The lawyer stopped and blinked.
"Well, it says here that he's leaving you, and I quote, "A boot to the head." Now that can't be right."
I laughed.
"No, it's right, and it's my dad."
Guess where I am
I finally got the job as the new director of the Beats Music agency. This is something I've been pursuing for so long. I'm married and sadly still no kids. I'm sure when it's my turn; I'll end up being a great mom. I was so excited when I found out that I got the job that I danced out of the building in complete bewilderment. I'd have to say that I pulled a dad and didn't watch where I was going. I wasn't sure when it happened, but my life was made up of just a few moments. Those instants are so significant to me that I had to review them one last time.
An oncoming vehicle killed a woman today.
I love you, dad; see you soon.
The ray of light that led me down the tunnel to consciousness opened my eyes to the illuming hands of this new day. My face was snuggled into the pillow below me, damp yet warmed by the sun that fell into my eyes. The memory of memories plagued me night after night awaking me to a soaked pillow.
That day played in my mind like a movie scene unacquainted to my eyes. It's crazy how life can come and go so quickly even in a matter of seven years. The death of my father and the asking of my hand in marriage consumed my life from then to the day I almost died.
It was like a flash that had become a part of my life. My dad had died and after that I lost my reason to smile. It wasn't long that I met Harvey. Almost an exact replica of my father's personality; he was funny and so sweet, most of all he loved me.
It was a small wedding. Out in the garden we grew together, just him and me, no one else.
We were so happy.
I actually thought that maybe this relationship could fill that hole that ate away at my being. He was the one that could rebuild my desire to live, show me that there's more to losing. The game isn't over no matter how many players strike out.
I was afraid to hit that ball he told me was life.
How could I stand without my dad by my side? He was my support, my all, the last thing that I felt so connected to.
Blood can only run so deep, but that unconditional love burrows deeper than the eyes and mind.
Harvey taught me how to swing.
I imagined that life would get better from there. Now I was able to stand with someone again and know I was stable.
The day I got the job at the music agency was an outstanding day. Life was good and I knew it so well.
The rain was pouring and Harvey waiting in the car.
I strolled down the main hallway and danced all the way out the door.
The conversations I have that start off as thoughts took over as I waved at Harvey who was on the other side of the street and out of the car holding an umbrella.
Death had slipped its way beneath my marriage. My ring, the one stuck on my ring finger, flew off. Our bond flew from me, our marriage, and our commitment, soared through the air at that one moment.
I was so stupid, such an idiot. I went for it. I didn't care about the danger of going out on to a busy street. I couldn't lose him, my ring, and the one he gave me.
I was doused with water and regret the moment my foot hit the asphalt.
Like in a movie scene as I said before. I was watching this moment happen from a ways beyond my control of it. This woman so intent on having this token or symbol of affection risked everything for the chance to keep it close to her heart, never to lose it, again.
The man she loved, the man who loved her, ran out to her.
Vehicles slipped and slid along the pavement.
She had it. It was in her hand as she was in the hands of death.
The middle of the street looked wide from my point of view, but for her I'm sure it was limitless.
That moment she looked upon the oncoming headlights the only thing she could wonder about was her father.
Was he watching this happen right now from heaven? Did he see her tears?
She chose to accept it. If it meant she'd be reunited with him again. He'd hold her like he did when she was little. Tell her that everything would be okay. Reassure her that Harvey would be okay without her. She didn't have to worry.
Before the mind has the chance to recollect death we are incased in black.
She was there for a long time. No heaven, no hell, just pure black that seemed a lot darker than what it was. Where was the light she desired, the relief, her father?
That's when my world came into play, the moment I had a front row seat into the eyes of that woman again. It was all initiated the moment my heart began to beat and his didn't.
The hospital is a cold place to be when no loved ones are there.
A week had passed before I woke up. A coma for a week was all that happened to me.
Esther was there holding my hand crying for me.
My world was upside down. Everything was skewed and my vision was hazy though my mind was clear.
I shouldn't be alive.
It's never heartwarming when some says sorry after telling you bad news.
I survived by sheer luck and the effect of true love.
I wanted to know where Harvey was. Why wasn't he here with me? I wanted to see him. I had the ring on my finger, but where was the man that gave it to me?
"I'm sorry Mrs. Stone, but I'm afraid that your husband died in the crash."
It was the tragic story of my hero.
He died saving me. I lived but he didn't. The man that pushed me toward desiring life again died for me.
I came to terms with that.
I changed my last name back.
I never regretted loving him.
I don't regret that I wear his ring on my middle finger.
I don't regret that I smile because I met him.
I'm not afraid to love again.
AN: I hope that this chapter wasn't confusing. It may take a couple times to look over to fully get it. If you don't understand then let me know and I will update it and make it clearer.
Sinx~ Ty
