Remember

Blue

•Cassandra•

Christopher George Faye died on September 3rd, 1998 while serving his country.

My dad.

I had always been proud of my father for being in the military, until the day he died.

Why couldn't he have been something normal? My friends dads are all business owners, plumbers, salesmen, doctors, and stuff like that.

Why couldn't my dad have done something like that?!

When my mom first grabbed me out of Mrs.Hughes's class, I was confused. I just thought that school had ended, and my mom was the first to pick me up.

Then, on the way home, I noticed she couldn't stop crying. When I asked her what was wrong, she didn't reply.

I vaguely remember her telling me that daddy had passed away. I didn't really know what the word "dead" meant at the time.

The funeral though, was when it really hit me.

•Flashback to the funeral•

White roses surrounded a black box.

Was that a present? What was in there?

My daddy's picture was everywhere.

Next to the box, in the middle of a half circle of candles, and in front of alot... ALOT of flowers.

Them I realized...it must have been daddy's birthday!

I ran up to mommy and tugged on her long black skirt. Everyone was wearing black? Was it daddy's favorite color?

"Mommy, mommy!" I said, jumping up and down.

"Yes sweetheart." she said with no enthusiasm.

"When's daddy getting here? Oh, is it a surprise party? Mommy! I could've kept a secret... where are the balloons? MY birthday party had balloons. What type of cake is it? Daddy likes ice cream cake so I hope that's what you-"

"Cassandra, honey, I don't...I don't think you understood what I told you on Wednesday. Daddy, daddy isn't-" my mom burst into tears, and started shaking. My grandma (Gamma) took my hand and led me into a room that smelt like mothballs.

"Cassie, sweetheart, I have to tell you something." Gamma said.

"Sure Gamma! Oh, no... Mommy got regular cake that doesn't have ice cream, didn't she?"

Gamma nervously chuckled.

"N-no honey. Christo- your daddy, he's visiting Jesus."

"In heaven?"

"Yes, in heaven."

"Oh. Is this his 'welcome home' party?"

"Cassie, he lives in heaven now."

"Forever?"

Gamma nodded, and I even saw a few tears well up in her eyes. this is when I put two and two together.

"So, he's...not coming back?" I said barely above a whisper.

"No, he's not going to be with us physically. But, he'll be here to watch you grow up in spirit."

"B-but, he promised! He promised! This isn't fair!" I was full on bawling by now, trying to reach my mom.

"What did daddy promise you, Cassie?" Gamma said, concern thickly coating her tone of voice.

"When he left last time. In April. He said that he loves me, and that he knows that I'll do great in kindergarten. Then....then he told me that- he told me that he promised to come home! Why did daddy lie to me Gamma? He promised!" I screamed