Set me free - Episode 44

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William:

"Daddy!" My eyes water at my little girl's pale face on the phone screen. She still manages to smile at me. I put on my big daddy pants and smile through my own grief.
"Baby, Grandma told me you are not feeling good. What's wrong sugar?" I say.
"I'm doing better daddy. You don't have to look like I'm dying." She shrugs her tiny shoulders and I try not to frown.
"Never say anything about dying okay?!"
"Sorry dad." She apologizes.
"She's doing better than this morning . The test results should be out soon. Don't panic OK William?" Mom says from beside Aurora's bed.
"I won't." I mutter, my eyes still on Aurora lying on the tiny hospital bed.
"It just hurts a little daddy. I'm a strong girl and my parrot is also here." Aurora pat the sleeping bird beside her on the bed before she yawns.
"You are tired baby. You should rest." Mom says to Aurora. Her face falls for a second but she doesn't argue. She looks tired. She yawns again before kissing the screen.
"Goodnight daddy. I miss you." She says.
"I miss you so much more. You know daddy loves you right?"
"Of course dad

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. I love you too." She waves before mom takes the phone from her hand.
"Good bye dad." I hear her soft sleepy voice say as mom walks out of the room. My heart skip several beats at those words. Goodbye dad. Sounds so final.
"I know that look William. What are you thinking now?"
"I'm a failure mom." I whisper.
"No no. Aurora can not have a better father than you." She shut the door behind her and sit on a metal chair.
"Mom. I left. Just like my father. I'm horrible. I can't even do anything for her." I use my free hand to wipe my face.
"You are doing this for her. You are sacrificing your time with her for a few months just to give her a good life. That's what a father would do."
"I should be there for her." I absentmindedly brush the Beach's sand off my knee.
"she's be okay." Mom assures.
"I wasn't there for her mother. And she died, mom. She died in pain. Without me. I still can't forgive myself for that."
"You need to believe that it wasn't your fault my son."
"Wasn't it? I led her to her death." Tears sting the back of my eyes. I scratch both eyes harshly.
"She had a heart problem, William. It wasn't you."
"But--"
"No buts boy. Forgive yourself. Only then can you be happy." I pull myself off the sandy beach and pace with the excessive energy bubbling inside my chest.
"She died. I don't deserve to be happy." Images of the past few weeks with Michelle flashes through my mind. The banters, the kisses, the deep pillow talks. A drop of tear fall on my cheekbone and I look away from the screen. Mom catch the tears though.
"Aurora isn't the only one bothering you." Mom says without question. 
"Look at me." She commands and I reluctantly look back to the screen.
"You deserve to be happy." She says. I shake my head.
"You do, you stupid boy!" She snaps.
"Mom--"
"You've suffered too much, son." Tears glisten in her eyes but I don't interrupt her.
"First your father was taken away from you. Then your wife. They are even making you lose time with your daughter. When will you stop letting them take more?!" She sobs.
"Mom--"
"William, I need you to be happy so I can finally forgive myself for those years of neglect. For not fighting for your right to your father. Please son, grant me peace.
"I'm a quitter. I let my best friend push me out of my own marriage. I didn't fight for you, baby. I just dived into bottles and bottles of liquor and neglect you some more. You've seen too much,son." I'm crying now.
"I can't be happy mom."
"You can. It's your right. Don't be me and fight."
   An incoming call shows up on the top of the screen. It's an unknown number. I let it ring off while mom go on to tell me how I deserve happiness. it's like betrayal though. Being happy when Dawn can't even breathe in one more breath of air.
 The call ends and starts again.
"That sounds urgent." Mom stops to say. She wipe her tears with the hem of her blouse. The call stops and a message comes in next.
"No one knows this number except for Michelle whose number I have saved." I mutter under my breath.
"Michelle. Is that her name?" She's smiling now but it's at my expense. I feel awkward.
"Mom. Why don't I call you later. Like you said, the call sounds urgent." Mom smiles a little but nods.
"Goodbye son."
"Bye Mom. Kiss my little girl goodnight for me." I say before ending the call.
"Mothers." I mutter under my breath again as I shake my head at the now blank screen. Another text comes in then two more. My scowl deepens as I click on the texts.

PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE WITH MARA.

SHE'S OKAY RIGHT?

 My eyes bulge out at this. Michelle left me more than thirty minutes ago. I've not moved from the spot she left me crying earlier. I read the last two messages.

WHY AREN'T YOU PICKING UP YOUR PHONE?

CALL ME.

 Another text comes in.

IF YOU DON'T PROTECT HER AND HE HURTS HER, I SWEAR TO GOD I'LL END YOU.

What?!
I'm already running towards the beach house. My heart in my mouth. Who's going to hurt Michelle?

PLEASE HELP HER.

  THERE'S A HUNT FOR YOU BY THE POLICE CONCERNING YOU KILLING A MAN ON VIDEO SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL. THE POLICE ARE ALREADY ON THE BEACH.

 I freeze in my tracks and stare down at the phone. What's going on? Michelle's father must have released that cursed video! Damn him. I duck behind a beach chair as I spot a police car parked just few steps away. Two police men are talking to a couple on the beach and showing them a picture. My heart enter my mouth. I'm not going to prison again. Aurora needs me.
"Goodbye daddy." No! I shake my head of the nasty thoughts. A boy of about 16 walks pass me.
"Hey!" I whisper yell. He turns around to eye me up. I gesture for him to come over. He looks suspicious. I pull a 100 dollar note out of my pocket. He looks back at the police car then me. I silently pray he takes the money and not call the cops.
"2." He says.

Read " Star-crossed " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I don't argue. I pull another bill out. It's that dirty man's money after all. The boy strolls casually to my side.
"Tell the police you saw me running over to the other side of the beach." I instruct as he pulls the bills out of my hand. 
"Peace of cake." He smirks.
"Hey! Police!!" I crawl to the other side, the bench barely concealing me.
"Go over there!" I snarl at the boy.
"Oops. Sorry." He seems to be enjoying himself but I'm not. I drop another money on the sand. He gives me a thumbs up before strolling to meet the cops half way. I can't hear what he tells them but in few seconds the cops hurry into their car and zoom off. I don't waste any time. I hurry towards the beach house. Michelle please be safe.

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