You + Me and Whatever in Between

1

Life..

I spent years of dreaming what this would feel like. Freedom, money yet I'm missing something. Family. Money doesn't mean happiness believe me I've been trying to connect the two for years. But with more money brings more selfishness because I forget spend it on myself.

I caught the bus to this red brick building. Walking inside I received looks from adults. Their eyes holding sadness, some along with hatred and others nothing but guilt. The reason why I already knew.

Today marked the year anniversary of the death of President Markham Sanders. Also known as my father. Already at the building with his wife and their 2 children. I stood next to them as they comforted each other yet no one. Not a damn person was comforting me.

"Vi, are you okay." The tugging on the hem of my shirt was from Olivia. Dads youngest daughter.

I picked the three year old and placed her on my hip. "Yeah, Livy I'm okay. The real question is are you okay?"

She just shook her head for no and laid it on my chest. And we stayed in that position for the remainder of the memorial. His wife, Charlotte not once bothering us.

Once it was over I began walking to the family car. Giving Olivia to Jenson. I walked to Charlotte. "Hi Ms.Charlotte."

"Vida." Her response so curt. So nasty.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks."

We just stood their awkwardly. She didn't want me around and I felt inclined to be there. "I don't know what I did wrong as a child for you to hate me. But whatever it was I hope that we could move on from it. I would really like to be apart of Olivia and Jenson's life. We are siblings."

She scoffed at me. "Let's get one thing straight. Olivia and Jenson are not your siblings. Markham was not your father. You stole everything away from us. His love, his affection, his money. For that I will despise you for." The look in her eyes showed she wanted to spit on me but with the press around she didn't. She simply got in the car and drove away as Olivia placed her small hand against the window.

The secret service men followed me to my car and as I drove back home. After dad died he left me the mansion, the cars and the money. Only because Charlotte came from a wealthy background. Even without dad Liv and Jenson had a two million dollar trust fund waiting for them at the age of 18. While
myself on the other end had nothing but materialistic items.

"Kick Vida! Kick" dad said while laughing. He had just bought me the play set to go in our backyard.

"I'm trying dad!" I kept trying to kick my legs to swing higher but I couldn't. Suddenly I started tearing up constantly repeating I can't do it.

He picked me up and set me down on his lap. Brushing my curls from my eyes he said, "Do you know why I named you Vida."

"Because you liked cheese?" My smile beamed ear to ear and he chuckled.

"No, because you my dear are my life. Vida in spanish means life. You came into my life when I was entering an all time low. You brought me happiness, joy. Because of you I'm going to do something to always make you proud of me."

"What's that dad."

"I'm going to run for POTUS?"

"PO-TUH-US. What's that?"

"President of the United States sweetie. I'm going to make you so proud of me."

"I already am dad."

I smiled at the memory. "If only you were here dad. I miss you."