Judging a Book: The Life of a Thug

Chapter 3

They were on their way to the airport when Charlene squeaked out, "Daddy, we go see Mommy?"

He nodded.

If she wanted to visit her mother before she left, he'd take her there.

***

The car came to a halt. He looked in his mirror to see that she'd fallen asleep.

"Char, wake up, Baby Girl." He shook her gently. "We're here, Daddy?"

He nodded.

He picked up her, carrying her to it. Her mother's grave. He sat on the ground, holding Charlene in his lap.

"Hi Mommy." She said. "I miss you, Mommy."

She got up, standing next to her tombstone.

"Me and Daddy move to Califownia so we be close to family, but we still come see you, okay? Okay." She sniffed.

"I love you, Mommy."

She leaned forward, kissed the stone, and walked back to her father, collapsing into his open arms.

She wept softly as she clung to him. As if she were to let go, She would lose him forever.

He could do nothing but hold her. He felt helpless as he so desperately want to rid his crying little girl from her heartache.

She's so young-too young, my poor baby. She doesn't deserve to hurt like this. She's innocent, hasn't hurt a soul...and yet, she has to suffer the pain of losing her mother.

He stroked her curly hair and rocked her as she silently cried.

Craig knew his child was too young to fully understand the situation and what happened with her mother, but she knew, they both knew, that she was gone.

It was his turn now.

He swallowed hard.

"H-hi." He stammered.

It was so difficult.

"I miss y-you, Bee." He sighed. "Um...we're moving to Cali now, I can't stay here. Just know I'm not leaving you."

He let a few tears roll down his cheeks. "I love you, so much. I'll do my best for Char, for you...I promise."

He released another breath.

"Rest easy, Baby."

He kissed His two fingers and pressed them against the stone, carrying their daughter to his car.