Starry Nighy By Edgar Allen Poe (Frerard)

Field Day and A Day Cleaning

"Daddy! Daddy, come race with us!" Cherry yelled to me. I'd much rather prefer sitting on the sidelines, but I would do anything for my girls, so I got myself up and ran to their side. I honestly didn't care if I was allowed to do this or not, because I was determined to make this a fun experience for them.

"On your mark, get set," one of the teachers said, raising her hand up in the air. "Go!" Then dropped her arm down and I started running, my girls trailing beside me. I smiled over at them, watching how determined they were to get there together. They were holding onto each other's hands, telling me that they'd never leave each other behind, and that gave me relief. Even if something happens to their mother and I, I know they'll always have each other. Eventually, we make it to the other side of the field and my girls come in second, together. I was glad that the teachers here haven't corrupted their way of thinking about one another by comparing the two, because that would only cause problems later on in their life. My wife and I felt stalwartly about that to the point where neither one of us has told them who was born first, even if it were a few seconds apart.

"Daddy, play the jump rope competition with us next!" Lily said cheerfully. I gave her a warm smile and kneeled down to her height with Cherry standing right behind her.

"Daddy's getting old, sweetheart, so I can't. But I'll watch you two from that spot right over there beside that tree," I said as I pointed to the spot right in front of my car. "Lunch is in a few minutes and since you girls are doing so wonderful in the games, would you like something from McDonald's?" As I asked this, their eyes lit up and they squealed happily. I smiled at the two of them as I got back up to my feet. I never really let them have anything from a fast food place, because it's supremely unhealthy, but whenever they do well in school or with listening to me and their mother, I do get them a happy meal and maybe an Icee, which is an amazing thing to dip your fry into.

"Thank you, daddy!" They said in unison, which makes me smile even wider. They truly were everything to me. I walked back over to my spot under the tree as they're called for the Jump Rope competition and sat on the railing separating the parking lot from the football practice field, which is also where they hold the school districts field days. Soon after the teacher blew the whistle, I felt my phone vibrating against my leg and froze, because it wasn't my personal phone, it was my work phone. No one ever called for a clean-up during the day because it was too risky, but I normally carried it on my person in case Bob called for a meeting. I knew it wasn't him because he'd informed me yesterday that he would be leaving for a week to give away his daughter and then spend some time with the family, so could only mean a day clean-up. It was much more dangerous because it meant that I couldn't get rid of the bodies until night, meaning that I will have to hold them in my car until then. Snapping from my thoughts, I pulled the phone out and answered it.

"I sincerely apologize for calling at this hour. It is very disrespectful and, for your troubles and risk, the pay will be upped pleasantly by a satisfying sum. 1549 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Fifth house on the left. I left the back door unlocked and it is very secluded. Two men. I've left your pay in the living room wall atop the television. Thank you and I apologize once again," He explained and then hung up, allowing me no time to answer. La Artista never allows himself to hear my voice. It was as if he wanted no other connection to me other than my phone number, and that hurt me more than I was willing to admit. I put my phone up and looked over to my girls who were already sweating profusely, but wearing smiles on their faces. I walked over the one of the teachers and tapped on their shoulder.

"Excuse me, I have to step away for a moment, so would you be so kind as to explain to my daughters that I went to get them some food?" I asked, smiling politely at the fairly young women.

"Of course, sir. Your daughters are Cherry and Lily Iero, yes?" She confirmed. I nodded, looking over at them.

"Yes."