Andrew
"Daddy! Mommy's on the phone." I didn't even hear the pitter patter of her feet, to warn me that she came out. The sun and work must have consumed me. I'm shocked she even opened that door. She's always had trouble. Which Veronica and I both kind of like. That means she can't go outside by herself, until now.
"What did I tell you about answering my phone?" Her hands clasp together by her tummy. Staring at the ground, the same way her mother does. I don't want her getting into my texts. Some of the things I send to Veronica are extremely inappropriate.
Putting the phone to my ear, "Hey baby."
Tumultuous stomps and heavy breaths sound into the receiver. "Andrew! Help!" Then blank. Nothing else.
"Veronica!" I check the screen. Call Ended.
Fuck! Panicking, I dial the cops. Finding Flower, I take a hold of her hand. I can't lose sight of both my girls. "Hello, 911 operator, what is your emergency?"
"Yes, my wife just called me. She left about twenty minutes ago to go for a walk. She called and all she said was help. I'm really worried about her. I don't know what to do."
Sweaty at my palms, almost losing the grip on both my phone and Flower. "Ok sir, please calm down. Tell me her number, and we will track her phone. I'll send a cruiser to her location immediately."
Spewing out the numbers I've memorized from the first time she gave it to me. "I want to know where she is to."
"Sir, it's not safe-."
"This is my wife! I deserve to know!"
"Calm down. Ok. She's on second street."
That's not far from me at all. "Thank you." Hanging up, I carry Flower to the truck.
"Where's mommy?"
I don't want her to worry. I would have dropped her off at miss Jane's, but there's no time. Not when Veronica's life is at stake. Positive I'll make it there before the cops do. Everything I'm doing is the definition of a bad father. At least she's buckled in tight. Speeding at sixty, I wish I could go faster.
Flower doesn't even notice. Turning on Second St. I search for her whipping blonde hair. I can't even remember what she was wearing. "What was mommy wearing?"
"Pants and a jacket." In this heat? Oh god, what if she passed out from heat exhaustion. Down the street I don't see her anywhere. Driving, I see a really nice yellow Corvette parked on the side of the road. Odd. A cop car's sirens shine, screeching brightly. That must be the one I called. I knew I'd make it here before them.
This is my baby girl we're talking about. My fucking flower. She's That's summer day of sunshine that warms your brittle bones. Sweet, the softest of beauty. "Mommy!"
I slam on the breaks, swerving to the side of the road. "Where?!"
"Over there!" I follow her pointer finger to a field of weeds. "She's playing tag with that man!" That's not tag.
"Daddy will be right back." Letting the truck run with the A/C on, I lock the doors, grabbing my spare key.
Everyday's the wrong day with me. I've had it with all these fucking creeps. Stalking into the field with my long strides. The man has her by the hair, wringing her neck. That place in my brain that says to use common sense, snaps.
Balling up my fists, they ache, craving the taste of blood to coat my ink covered knuckles. To my right an officer holds his gun "Stand down!" He better not be talking to me. I'll kill this motherfucker, right in front of the cop.
YOU ARE READING
Dead Flower (Sequel to The Flower Girl Book Two)
Romantizm"You can't just take her away from me Veronica. She's my Flower to. We helped her grow, and I want to be there for when she's a mature beautiful rose with thorns, because if she's anything like you, that's exactly what she'll be." Beautiful, but if...