"Best dad in the world"
I ran my fingers along the carved letters on the cup.
Interestingly, every profession requires a minimum of knowledge, in this way we can prepare ourselves to exercise what we dream so much one day. However, one of the professions, if we can see it this way, doesn't require any course, just love and a little more love...
Being a father does not require any process to form, on the contrary, we learn as our children to make right choices and deal with the wrong ones, even, we are subject to disappoint them.
Being a parent is a gift from God that there is not enough reward in this world to intervene in times like these:
Looking out the checkered kitchen window, I admired my little girl pulling her bike out of the garage next to the wooden fence.
** 2005 - Texas **
William remained silent, his gaze took on a serious and frightened expression.
"I don't know what I'll do now..." Clara completed approaching the lake.
- Come with me... - He got down from the fence, stopping in front of her, took her arms - and we'll denounce the Drakes in the next town, since your foster parents have friends around here...
-I can't William - His hands slipped through his.
- And why not?
Clara rubbed her eyes:
- I can't leave Charlie alone. I won't go without him. – Completed.
- Then we can go to the police station and...
- William... - Clara interrupted - As soon as they know that Leona finds out I figured, they'll disappear and I'll never see Charlie again. – His eyes fogged up – I can’t risk it…
William messed up his black hair, thoughtfully:
- What will we do Lord? -He raised his gaze to the sky - There must be someone who can help ... - Until his eyes lit up like a light in a dark room - That's it, come with me.
He grabbed the girl's wrist and the two of them started running back along the path until they left the park. Carefully they made their way through the city streets, looking around until they came to rest on the tall, thin figure that had just rounded the corner.
It was him and this time they wouldn't let them get away.
- Quick, this way... - William shouted, holding Clara's hand firmly.
The two ducked into an alley, and just behind was Jack with each step closer to them.
They hurried out of the alley, crossed the street, and ran as if their lives depended on it, and they did.
Fear exhaled through his nostrils breathing in and out. Clara could barely keep up, staggering behind. She was convinced that Jack would reach and William shared the same thought.
Finding William's father in that city would be like a needle in a haystack, it would never arrive in time, to the point that Robert would interfere. He could do something for the girl, but his idea dissipated, or rather, went down the drain of despair.
Feeling their breath getting heavier and heavier, they wouldn't be able to run forever, so he needed to take advantage of this distance to hide and catch his breath; From a distance they saw a small stone building.
Clara followed, keeping her strength on edge, and they quickly entered the small town church.
A man of a certain age was startled by the sudden and breathless entry of the two young men.
They barely noticed the presence of the lord near the altar.
- Can I help children? He raised his voice softly to the point where they could hear.
- Pastor - said William casting a glance at the door quickly. - Please help us...
The man approached, showing some curiosity and concern, said:
- How can I help you, children?
- Clear!!! shouted that fearsome voice echoing throughout the hall.
There was nowhere else to run. Jack was at the entrance to the church.
"Mr. Drake, it's been a long time," the shepherd said gently on his way to the man.
William looked around looking for a way out, but his friend lightly squeezed his hand, bringing all his attention to that simple look.
"There must be another way out," he said as if he knew the words of that silent gaze.
-You know I don't... - she replied releasing her hand in his - I can't run away anymore, otherwise I'll never see Charlie again...
- Then tell me where you live... I'll find a way...
- Clara, enough!! - He raised his voice again until the poor shepherd was scared too.
"I'll find you…" he whispered as the girl cast one last look at him. - I promise...
-Sorry pastor, my niece has some problems regarding her behavior. - Jack said to the old man in front of him.
- They are still young... - replied the pastor smiling.
-I'm here-his eyes filled with tears. – When stopping in front of his adoptive father.
She barely managed to look up, thinking about the next few minutes from now.
"Thanks..." Jack said to the pastor as he took Clara's arm.
"Not the punishment room," he said in a whisper. - please...
Jack put it in the car silently:
- Please don't let me go back there again.
- You got ready and you were already warned...
"Just don't tell Leona, please." Clara grabbed Jack's arm, her eyes watering.
- See what you did? - Jack said - You are the reason to change us again...
- I promise I'll behave this time...
- Clara, we trust you - He closed the vehicle door, still looking out the window - Don't say something you don't intend to fulfill...
He walked around the car, going through the other door.
The girl kept her eyes on the path traveled, in silence.
Jack started the truck:
-You'll never see this boy again... - he commented, maneuvering the car.
- You know what - Clara looked at him - You will never be my father...
Those cold eyes gleamed one last time until she got back behind the wheel.
***
- Let her go!!! - Charlie shouted leaving the house towards Jack and Clara.
Leona, who had heard the noise of the van and consequently Clara's screams, got out too.
Charlie slashed uselessly at the thin man in front of him, trying to somehow free his mate trapped in his arm.
Leona held him as he struggled to free himself, but in vain, and dragged him home again, locking the door.
- Let me go!!! - shouted the girl taken by Jack to the punishment room.
Jack closed the door, and again heard the sound of chains closing.
- Please! - Clara knocked on the door feeling once again the loneliness and fear.
And that dense and empty darkness welcomed into the room.
With poor eyesight, she looked for a way out or maybe something that would help her out of that creepy place.
Her hands searched and pulled things. There were no windows, just mess and more mess. By the time her feet tripped, unbalanced, she went to the floor, making a loud noise, and in the midst of it a crack of wood snapping beneath her toes.
It was just a dark room and nothing else – she repeated it in her mind over and over as she caught her breath.
"It's okay..." she whispered, closing her eyes.
The breath left her lips once more bringing a little relief, swallowing back tears. She closed her hand, noticing something below, all too familiar between her fingers.
With difficulty, he got up, looking for space among the messes she had knocked over, and picked up the familiar object between his fingers, bringing it into the little moonlight that filtered through the cracks in the wooden door. The small wooden pendant was in her hands, though it had broken.
She took it out of her dress pocket, the crumpled, lifeless heart she'd followed up to that moment.
Hot tears streamed down her face as she remembered that night she separated from her Daddy. She missed talking to Him. Despite everything, she wasn't the same without Him.
Everything inside was hollow like a petrified and lifeless tree.
-Dad-she said with a flooded voice-I miss you...
***
Her stiffened limbs brought out the pain in her muscles upon waking. Those eyes opened and they still saw the glow of the night coming through the crack in the door. Your tired body asked for something more cozy, it needed energy...
Hours passed, and eyes kept closed trying to focus on Dad.
Footsteps woke her up and the sound of chains brought fear once again that night.
The cabin door opened, and Leona looked at her as if there was nothing to stop her from reaching her.
- Come on girl.
- Where are we going? she asked, holding tight the small broken pendant in one hand and the heart in the other.
- Don't ask questions, come on...
Clara got up, walking a few steps ahead of Leona, towards the house.
She put the two objects in her pocket, very well guarded.
Jack was sitting on the sofa, watching the flames of fire. Beside the hearth, the metal end of the oak cane lay within the flames. And a chair in the middle of the room decorated the spot, which Jack indicated with his hand.
She sat obediently, searching his face for some sign.
- Your father decided to give you a chance, so you will tell everything you said to the boy...
Clara kept silent. Her body vibrated with every breath.
- If you don't tell, we'll say goodbye to the farm and we'll never let you out again.
"I'm not afraid of you anymore." For a brief second she looked up at Leona. - I don't care what they do...
Those slanted lips smiled eerily, at the same time, she put her fingers together and the scary look made Clara shiver:
- You don't know how to lie girl? -Leona approached, held the girl's chin, and those eyes smoked with hate-Leona knows when people lie, does she know why? – She fixed her black gaze, holding Clara for a brief moment – I was once an actress, and the first thing we do is look deeply into the eyes of the audience, convincing them that it's real. However, I don't see that in your...
- Leona what shall we do? - interrupted Jack
-We've tried it her way, sweetheart, now we'll do it Leona's way - he said directing his gaze to the vibrant fireplace -She's going to release the truth one way or another.
Clara's heart stopped for a brief second as she looked at the crackling flames.
"That's not how we work things out," Jack interjected.
- The time has come for Leona to punish these cheeky children
"I won't let you do that." Jack shot his wife a defiant look.
- If she said something to the boy, you know they will be here soon - Leona said - And we will be arrested.
- Then why don't we run away at once?
- Abandoning everything we built for a fear that may or may not be real - Leona held Clara's arm - It's not worth it, don't you think...? - She let go and smiled - So, would there be another way?
"No…" Jack replied.
- Take her to the basement, it will drown out the screams.
- No, please... - Clara screamed as she was dragged to the basement by Jack - Dad...
Leona took the iron cane with reddish embers at the end, in the other hand she held the lamp.
Jack dropped Clara onto what little straw was left on the floor. His faraway gaze met the girl's desperation as she retreated toward the wooden bookcase.
"Sweetheart, if you prefer, wait upstairs," Leona said, walking down with her cane in hand.
Clara stared in terror at the burning metal tip of her cane.
"I promise it won't be long," Leona said to her husband, who nodded leaving her alone.
She hung the lamp on one of the wooden pillars.
The sound of the door being locked was enough to conclude that she had no way of escaping, yet again.
- Will I need to take it off by force? - Leona approached the girl - You choose...
Leona moved her cane from side to side, but Clara's eyes remained fixed there, while she was paralyzed with fear.
The woman gripped the girl's arm, bringing the fiery metal closer to her skin. Clara looked deeper into that cold gaze and that scary smile:
-I told you you weren't my parents-she blurted out as if she'd been holding her breath for a long time.
- And what else girl?!!! cried Leona.
It was possible to feel the heat some distance from her wrist.
-And that you are very bad ...-Tears flooded her eyes. - That's all, I swear...
- Are you sure?
-Yes, I swear ... I swear - her words failed, flooded with despair.
A grotesque laugh escaped the woman's lips.
- See? That's how you lie, girl.” Leona let go of her wrist, laughing.
Clara's panting breath brought reality.
Leona stood up, cane still in hand, and shouted to Jack that she was done. She grabbed the lantern attached to the hook, but when she turned her back, it was the exact moment that Clara found her strength, crashed on top of her, and knocked her hard to the ground. With the shock, the woman let go of the cane and the lamp that shattered on the ground falling on some hay straws. The woman's face met the steps of the stairs.
Clara looked at her cane, not knowing what to do, at last she heard the sound of the door being unlocked.
A smell of smoke began to rise, and when she noticed the flames of fire she began to consume the straw around the lamp.
Clara ran up the stairs, the door opened and ended up facing Jack.
The smell of smoke, and Leona moaning on the basement floor were enough for him to ignore her.
- Leona! - She shouted passing Clara, hastily.
The keys were hanging on the basement door. The girl closed and turned the lock locking the couple inside.
After a few minutes, desperate knocking on the door:
- Open that door now girl!!! - shouted Leona.
As she listened, fear and doubt took over. She closed her eyes holding the pendant that was in her pocket. She didn't know what to do, but dreaded the decision she would soon make.
- Open the door girl... - Leona's angry and heavy voice shouted again.
-I can't - she replied still undecided...
-We promise we won't punish her, we know she's scared, but we can start all over again...
"They're lying," she yelled, her voice locked.
"I'm not," Jack replied.
"I don't believe in anything..." She covered her ears trying to concentrate.
Smoke came out from under the door.
- Don't you want to find your mother? Leona asked through coughs.
- You don't know anything about her.
- Not me, but Jack yes...
Clara turned to the door, her eyes towards the key:
"I'll tell you if you open the door, please," Jack yelled.
Doubt hovered in her thoughts.
- Please? - She looked at the smoke - That's what I asked you many times, and you didn't listen to me.
- Open that door soon, otherwise we will die inside. - said Leona.
- No!!!
Resolute, she grabbed the keys and ran upstairs in search of Charlie.
- Charlie!!! - She called.
- Clear? replied the boy.
The muffled voice came from the room.
She pushed, but it was locked, quickly looked for the key. She unlocked the door, and saw her eyes wide with fear and tears.
- Clear!! -He yelled running to hug her.
Her little hands wrapped around her waist.
"We need to get out of here," Clara said, holding her hands.
Her gaze rested on the door at the end of the hall.
Her mother's picture was there.
Turning to the boy, she encouraged him to leave the house, but he refused, holding her hand.
Clara looked for the key, until she saw the letters carved into the same key that Leona used...
Her hands were shaking, straining to get the lock on, until she turned it perfectly and the door opened.
She entered the room lit by colored lights.
She ran to the desk, opened the drawers, but it wasn't there.
- What are you looking for? asked the boy.
- A book... - she replied opening the wardrobe and removing the dresses.
She turned every corner of the room, desperate, until Charlie found it under one of the pillows. She held the book:
- We will...
Together they left the room, keys still in hand, went downstairs.
The entire room was covered in smoke, before long, everything would turn to ash.
The two began to cough, leaving the house, headed for the gate.
- Clara... and our parents? – Charlie asked worriedly.
Her gaze petrified toward the padlock and the keys in her hand.
"They're not our parents…" she replied coldly.
Finding the key to the padlock, the chains dropped to the floor, and the gate swung open.
Charlie took her first step on the other side of the fence, but her mate was still conflicted with herself.
She couldn't bear that guilt, she didn't want to take the Drakes' deaths on her shoulders.
- Clear?
- You need to go boy, and I have to open the basement door.
Without waiting for an answer, she left the book with the boy and ran to the house.
She needed to do the right thing this time...
Smoke covered the room, and was released through the cracks in the window and door. Her eyes began to sting as she held her breath as long as possible.
The raging flames spread across the wood, consuming whatever kind of memories were left.
Clara found the basement door, the rafters melting, and the walls creaking. The keys were still in her hands.
Determined, she ran towards the door feeling the temperature as she coughed. The smoke prevented her from seeing the correct key, so she started trying one by one.
The fire touched the consuming wooden door as she kept her distance, feeling the hot air touch her arm.
Sweat was running down her face.
Her hands were shaking.
There was no more fresh air in that space as she threw what she had with each cough. Her lungs were burning and heavy. The smoke gripped her throat, hard.
Behold, everything began to blur until it was dark.
Her legs weakened, losing strength going to the floor.
- Clara... - A sweet melancholy voice - Let's go...
Her eyes struggled to open.
- Charlie...? - She managed to say when she heard the boy coughing.
He supported a small part of her weight with his small shoulder, and together they dragged themselves out.
They landed on the lawn, coughing.
"I thought you were..." Clara managed to say.
She met those dark brown eyes filled with tears.
- The brothers stay together...
She looked around.
-It's okay boy...- she said, regaining her strength, forcing her legs to stand up again.
Charlie helped her and together they walked through the wooden gate.
At one point they stopped to see the last of the house losing the war, consumed by flames.
"I didn't save…" she swallowed.
Charlie held her hand as they looked at the house.
...
I left the mug on the sink and ran to meet her.
I asked if Ise would like to put the wheel on the bicycle that was in her hands. She asked me to take the other one.
I was in awe of her courage.
- Promise you won't let me fall? -She asked me despite seeing my answer in her eyes.
-I promise my little one-she smiled as she drove through the backyard of the farm, holding the bike tightly.
And so we spent that afternoon...