I woke up one morning, hearing my dad snoring next to me in my bed. I wondered why he didn't climb in the extra bed we had in my room for him. I assumed that Uncle Collins came back, but as I thought about it, it wasn't time for any break that he could take time off. I slowly turned my body and saw my dad sleeping on his back. I must have moved a little too much, because before you could say "La Vie Boheme," he was up. He glanced over at me and smiled. "I'm sorry, did I surprise you here love?" He asked kissing my cheek. "Good morning." He said as I nodded.
"Just a little. Is Uncle Collins back in town or something?" I asked sitting up. Dad yawned and rubbed his eyes shaking his head. "So or something?" I asked again, this time he nodded.
My dad gave a weak smile. "I was thinking about her again." I almost immediately knew he was talking about mom. I got up and put my slippers on as he continued to talk. "It was the most amazing dream Glory. She was alive, and you were in a dance for the school musical, and you were dancing with such grace. But it was better because Mom was there to watch you." I turned around and smiled, a few tears forming. I was going to be in a musical in a few weeks, dancing and singing, two of my favorite passions. When I was a girl I would tell my mom and dad that I was going to become famous for dancing and singing. But it was baby steps, and my mom would be by my side. Just, not this time. "Even though, Glory, that she's not going to be watching next to me, and Uncle Mark, and Aunt Joanne, and Aunt Maureen. She and Angel will be watching from heaven. And they'll be saying to there friends 'That's our baby girl. Work it girlfriend.' He attempted to say in a girly voice.
I simply nodded and walked over to my dad and curled up next to him. He put his arms around me and was hugging me. "I just wish-I guess that she was actually here I guess."
My dad just stroked my long curly brown hair. "I know love, I know." He whispered in my ear. We just sat there for what felt like hours, until Uncle Mark came in. He saw us there and smiled. "Hey Mark." My dad said to his best friend. "Going out filming?" Mark nodded. He was about to open his mouth, but my dad beat him to it. "We know, take out AZT."
Mark laughed. "That wasn't actually what I was going to say, but alright. I was actually wondering if you'd like to come with me Glory?" My dad had always said me and Uncle Mark needed our own little bonding time. I guess this was it, I would go filming he might film something about me? Who knows, not until I found out.
"Sure, I'll come. Is that alright daddy?" I said. I hadn't called him daddy that often. He nodded and him and Uncle Mark walked out of my room so I could change. I just put on jeans, and a sweatshirt. I packed a few things in my backpack before I changed my shoes. I waved to my dad as he grabbed a cup of coffee, and me and Uncle Mark were out the door.
We walked in silence until we reached the park. I sat down as he got his camera out, winding the thing up and started his commenting. "May 11th, 2007. 10 o'clock AM Eastern Standard Time. Zoom in on Glory, looking at me like I'm…weird." I laughed as he finished his sentence.
"Oh but you are Uncle Mark." I said into the camera, sticking my tounge out. "In the most funny way." I added. He smiled and turned his camera off and sat next to me on the bench.
"Well you're a brat." He said. "But you know, always in the loving way." He added as I leaned my head on his shoulder and sighed. "What did you think of group yesterday?"
I shrugged. "It was alright, I felt a lot better." I looked up and saw Uncle Mark nod.
"That's what you're mom said the first time she went. I remember I was filming then for Today 4 U."
I moved my head from his shoulders and turned to him, giving him a confused look. "Today 4 U?" I asked. I never heard of it.
Uncle Mark gasped. "We haven't shown you yet?" I shook my head. "We can show you tonight after dinner, it's something I did to get me to where I am today."
"What's Today 4 U about?" I asked.
Uncle Mark smiled. "New York Life. The good, the bad. And it shows that when times get rough, you're not alone." He smiled and stood up. "Come on kid, let's take you out for some lunch." He smiled. I couldn't wait for tonight, and to find out about 'Today 4 U,' and what it would be about. I could only think about it for now.