Chapter 1: Morning Time
It was a nice cool early spring morning.
“Wake up sleepyhead,” said Den trying to wake up Veronica his nine years old daughter. “It’s time for school,” said Den.
“Time doesn’t exist in my world,” said Veronica pulling the covers back over her head.
“Veronica, don’t make me get the bucket!” said Den referring to his wife’s tradition of waking up their daughter when she refused to get up. Mary would always take a bucket of cold water and dump it on Veronica’s head to wake her up in the morning. Mary died of cancer last year when Veronica turned 9 years old. Den and Veronica agreed to not let the tradition die with her. Veronica springs out of bed not wanting to get wet.
“Now get ready for school, after school, I have a surprise for you.” Said Den “If it’s another picture of mom, I have nowhere to put it”. Said Veronica referring to dozens of pictures in her room of Mary her mom.
“Silly, it’s not a picture and I don’t want you to forget about the beautiful lady that gave your life,” said Den.
“Dad, I always know she is with me at all times, I will never forget her she is in our hearts,” said Veronica.
Veronica hugs her dad before she runs off to catch the bus. “Stay out of jail!” shouted Den. Den would always say this to his daughter. When Den was a young child, he remembers his Middle School History Teacher would say “Stay out of Jail” every Friday leading up to the weekend. Back then Den made a commitment when he gets to be a father, he will always give this advice to his children.
