Every Damn Year (976 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 2 on 11 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by AshK <alkite at gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-01-13 12:33:02 EST
This isn't exactly a continuation of these two stories, but they are loosely tied to one another.
Brotherhood Pt. 1
http://www.ubersite.com/m/34130
Brotherhood Pt. 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/34254
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Connie and her usual shopping buddy, Sarah, were busy checking out the newest spring candles while I rang up Joanie's oil paints and chatted about the weather. Connie and Sarah came up to the counter to join in the conversation, which had turned from the impending thunderstorm, to the Wal Mart that was coming to our little town. My mind had strayed to the loss of sales the "Rollback" palace was going to bring me when Joanie let out a shriek.
"Spider!" she gasped, pointing behind me.
I whirled around, assuming my battle stance. I am not a member of the spider appreciation association.
"April Fools!"
I groaned and rolled my eyes. I had forgotten. April Fool's Day, a day of corny jokes and cornier pranks. We all laughed as my eyes wandered in the direction of my Dad's house, two blocks over.
"My Dad used to get me every year! If there is one thing my Dad loves, it is a good prank. I will have to call him later and tell him I've already been had today! I am on guard now; there is no way he will pull one over on me today."
Sarah and Connie were still giggling, apparently the look on my face was something to write home about. I really don't like spiders. Really. Not at all.
"You guys would be thanking me if I had saved your butts from the wrath of a creepy crawly!"
This just brought more laughter. They just hadn't seen my ninja-like spider killing skills. Sure they involve jumping up and down while screaming hysterically, but isn't that the essence of Ninjadome? Anyone? Hello?
Our conversation was briefly interrupted by the wailing of sirens as 2 cop cars and an ambulance sped by.
"Looks like someone isn't having a good day." Sarah said, as she crossed herself.
We returned to talk of the rain as I tallied up Sarah's purchase and handed her the change. The ringing phone stopped me from starting on Connie's treasures.
"Primrose Station, this is Ashley"
"Honey!" it was dad "What in the Hell is going on down there?!"
"What do you mean? Everything is fine here." The tone of my voice caught everyone's attention, just as the tone of Dad's had caught mine.
"Honey, I can see ambulances and fire trucks out there, I couldn't tell from here how close they are to your place. I was really worried."
"They aren't here, Dad. I didn't realize they were so close!" I passed the information on to my customers, who started for the front door. Hey, we weren't about to miss the excitement!
All four of us piled out the door, salivating over the possibility of gore and destruction. We looked left. Nothing. We looked right. Nothing. We looked at the corner and there was Dad, cell phone in hand, cackling and pointing. I slowly brought the phone back to my ear to the gasping chortle of my insane parental unit.
"Wow! Four for the price of one! I am on a roll this year, doll!" He managed, before he broke up in gales of laughter, hung up, waved, and headed for home.
_______
We all laughed, Dad's laugh noticeably weaker than it was in April. It was hard to believe he was jaundiced, lying in a hospital bed, only five short months later. I looked around at the machines, at the group of friends, at my Dad's face. The tears were hovering on the edge of my vision as the Doctor's words ran through my mind.
"The stint is not doing the job...a shunt is a possibility...definitely a tumor...don't know if it is malignant...transfer to Northwest University Hospital in Chicago."
I looked around the room at everyone looking to me for another story. I couldn't speak past the lump in my throat, my Dad jumped in to save me.
"Hey A.J. tell em what I got ya for your birthday!"
A.J. blushed bright crimson right to the crown of his shiny bald head as he chuckled.
"You got me a hairbrush and shampoo, you old sonofabitch."
And with that, my Dad put a smile on my face. He always knew just the right thing to say or do. Always. I looked down at his hand holding mine, and I knew in my heart that he was trying to prepare me. He knew long before I was ready to admit it. This was it.
I miss you, Dad. Happy Birthday.
User Reviews
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-03-09 14:14:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by diet_cocaine (user info) at 2005-04-01 15:42:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No comment.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-02-14 20:31:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Methodius (user info) at 2005-01-15 20:23:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fantastic.
*salutes*
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2005-01-15 20:09:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Beautiful.
'Nuff said.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-01-13 17:11:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck you for making me laugh and be sad at the same time. Damn you. Damn you all to hell.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2005-01-13 16:12:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Bump
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-01-13 14:00:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
....
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-01-13 13:36:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2005-01-13 13:19:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ahhh crap.
This brought a tear to my eye and lump to my throat.
To have memories such as these, about a parent who has passed on, is something worth smiling about.
Submitted by Rocktsrgn (user info) at 2005-01-13 12:57:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn you.