Dad
She held the last present from her father for a minute, knowing he took great care in picking these out for her. She unwrapped it slowly, feeling sad this represented her last connection with him.
My health continues to fail. I hold out every day for some news about you. If I don’t see you in this lifetime, know I will be watching over you. I’ve lain awake at night, thinking of what you must be enduring. It tears at my soul. If this reaches you, my last advice to you, my precious girl, is to never give into the darkness. Find the light and build something new. Find love and seek happiness. You deserve it and much more. I’m leaving you this gift and hope one day you’ll know I never forgot you. I love you, Honeybee.
Love,
Dad
Caroline opened the small box, containing a key. She turned the key chain over, noticing the name of a bank in Corpus Christi. Guessing he left her something in a safety deposit box, she put the key in her pocket. Glancing at the gifts, she felt his never-ending love for her. Caroline set them on the dresser while she went to his closet and searched for the safe Nancy mentioned. In the far back, she knelt and used her birthdate to open it.
The door swung open, and a stack of labeled files greeted her. Pulling them out, one by one, she sifted through them. Caroline found one labeled “information upon death.” Inside, she found his birth certificate, a life insurance policy, a deed to her old home, and his social security information. Unsure of what she needed for the funeral home, Caroline took the entire file.
Picking up another file, she found a private investigator’s notes on his search to find her. She flipped through the pages,seeing where he ended up at dead ends. James Stanton ensured she’d never be found.
Another file contained her mom’s information and marriage documents. The next contained Caroline’s birth certificate and social security number. She set it aside, wondering how to proceed with her social security number.
A soft knock came from behind her, and she turned to see Jameson leaning on the doorframe.
“What did you find?” he asked softly.
“I have his information for the funeral home. He kept my birth certificate and all of my documents,” she said, staring at the folders.
“You don’t need to do it all today,” he reminded her. “We can take it one day at a time.”
“I know. It’s funny. I assumed he died and mourned his death six years ago. I don’t know if it hurt worse then or now. I miss him,” she said, gathering the paperwork and putting the rest of it back into the safe. Standing, she held it close to her chest and walked toward Jameson. “He requested to be buried next to my mom. I’d like to stop at a florist today and have a spray of flowers made up for her grave since I missed her funeral.”
“We can go wherever you need,” he assured her.
Caroline dug into her pocket, pulling out the key.
“He left me this last year on my birthday. It’s like Dad knew he’d die soon,” she murmured.
Jameson glanced at the key, turning it over. Seeing the name of the bank, he asked, “Did you want to stop there?”
Shrugging, she took the key and shoved it in her pocket.
“I opened his gifts from the last six years. Then, I found the files. It’s enough for today,” she said as he took the paperwork from her.
“I made breakfast. We have time to eat and then get dressed,” he informed her. “Garrett and Spider will follow us as a precaution.”
“Did you hear something?” she asked, gazing at him, feeling fear run down her spine.
“It’s a precaution,” he assured her. “Let’s eat. The eggs will get cold.”
Following him into the kitchen, she sat at the table, where he prepared breakfast for the two of them.
“Will Nancy meet you at the funeral home?” he asked, scooping a healthy portion of eggs onto her plate.
“No. She insisted I honor my father my way. Of course, she offered to help if I didn’t feel comfortable. Then it made me feel weird. Like I didn’t know my dad enough to plan his funeral,” she said, picking at her food.
“I’m sure she didn’t mean anything about it,” Jameson reasoned. “She knew him for a long time and knows how much it meant to him to see you again.”
“I guess,” she agreed. “I’ll try on the dresses Rachel brought over. Then, I can check it off my list. She has good taste.”
Jameson chuckled. “Yes, she does. I’m sure you’ll find something.”
Caroline took a bite of her bacon. “I’ll ask her if she wants anything from the house. I don’t know about her long-term plans. She might want some of his furniture or something more personal.”
