Gabe Hills:
It's about midnight when I finally arrive at my house. Taking the house key from my pocket and inserting it into the lock, I turn the key and very quietly enter the living room.
The lights to the living room are off so the room is pitch-black, with barely any moonlight shining through the curtain. Dropping off my briefcase on the kitchen's counter, I head to the couch and drop down onto it. Letting out a sigh, I rub my tired eyes.
"Dad," a voice moans from beside me, scaring me before I realize who it is.
"Allison," I say, turning around to find a light. Turning on a nearby lamp, the living lit up and revealing my daughter sleeping right next to me!
"Allison," I ask, wondering why she is here. "What are you doing here! You should be in bed! You have school tomorrow! And another doctor appointment!"
"I know," Allison yawns, also rubbing her tired eyes. "But before I go to bed, I was hoping you could tell a story. Like before."
"Ahh," I moan, falling back onto the couch. "I'm sorry Allison, I really am, but I don't think I can. I'm just too tired. Maybe tomorrow night."
"Oh," Allison replies, pushing herself off the couch and heading for the stairs. "Okay. Tomorrow night then. Night dad."
"Night Allison," I say, waving back as I watch my daughter slowly climb up the stairs, a few seconds before hearing her bedroom door open and close. As soon as she is gone, I let out another sigh.
"Aaaaaahhhhh."
Letting my head fall back, I stare up at the empty ceiling and start to think.
"Why," I ask myself. "Why? Why? Why? Why! Why! Rachel."
Memories of the last two years flash through my head, like a slideshow put on super speed.
Rachel and Allison were just getting some groceries from the supermarket. Something they must have done one thousand times over. Only, the last time, it was different. Horribly, horribly different.
As they were leaving, some son of a bitch drunk driver going over 90 miles an hour slam right into them! He killed Rachel almost instantly, and as for Allison, the crash might as well have killed her too.
Her heart was badly damaged in the crash. The impact was so strong, it shook her heart out of place and little bits of metals and glasses pierce right through her and into her heart!
The paramedics that arrived got her to the hospital as fast as they could, and the doctors there were able to save her, but they couldn't save her heart. It was shredded and filled with immovable shards. She was put on a waiting list for a new heart, but I know for a fact I have a better chance of winning the lottery than of Allison getting a new heart.
What made the situation even worst was that the same son of a bitch drunk driver that causes the crash also got away! After the crash, he just steps on the gas and drove away, while everyone else was busy trying to save the dying mother and her child!
Snapping out of the trance, I squeeze my eyes shut before snapping them open and heading to the kitchen. Grabbing a frozen meal, I toss it in the microwave and heat it up. Eating fast, I then head upstairs to the bathroom for a shower and to brush my teeth. As soon as I am done, I head to my room and go to sleep.
Before entering my room though, I stop short and turn to look at Allison's room. About to wish her sweet dreams, I change my mind and enter my room.
It's very late and I have to take her to the doctor tomorrow.