Often I see people partake in these challenges for one reason or another and I have always felt like just doing one for the sake of doing one.  Thanks to an email from my good friend Mike, an idea spurred where I’d create stories based off of pictures I came across.  The old saying “a picture is worth….” sorta became the back-drop for this challenge, but so far I have not been able to land exactly at 1000 words (hovering at ~1100).  So forgive the slight overage.  In any case, I will be using pictures I come across (beginning with some Facebook trolling), so I hope all who read these stories find some joy in them.  Here goes the first entry…..

NYC Train Ride

Daddy’s Girl

With sweat trails racing down his spine, Donovan hurried through the intersection despite the signal telling him to stop.  Each lunge forward sent a shot up his leg that on any other day would’ve caused him to stop his stride, find the nearest bench, and sit there for at least an hour.  But the comfort of that thought had to escape him at this moment.  His watch ticked closer to 6:00pm and he remembers how unforgiving that day care can be.  How unforgiving his finances would be to unintended expenses.

At 5:58pm, the front door to the daycare buzzed open.  The halls, once filled with the voices of eager and energetic children during the morning, were now replaced by the low flickering sounds of the fluorescent bulbs above.  All of the other rooms were dark, except the room at the end of the hall.  Before he made it to the door, the sight of Emily running through the doorway stopped him in his tracks.  As she ran to him with out-stretched arms, Donovan tried his best to kneel down to greet her back.  Standing in front of the door was Ms. Hamilton, one of the other teachers at the daycare.

“She thought you forgot about her, but I told her you would never do that.” she remarked.  With an exhausted smile, Donovan looked over Emily before instructing her to get her things ready to go home.  As she ran back into the classroom, Donovan and Ms. Hamilton took that moment to discuss a few things about Emily.

“She had another episode today.  Her teacher found her crying in the bathroom while the other children napped.”  The news sapped what little joy Donovan had inside of him at the moment.  Watching this little angel flutter from the tables to the cubby hole, he could not help the tear that fought its way from his eye.  Catching himself before Emily looked his way, Donovan quickly wiped the tear away before he spoke back with the teacher.

“Yea, it’s been hard on her with Mother’s Day coming up.  Maybe we will have a talk tonight.” he replied, somberly.  Ms. Hamilton noticed the weary look upon his face as he spoke and placed her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.  Donovan finally looked her in the eye and for the first time since entering the building he actually noticed her.   With his hat in his hands, he quickly broke the eye contact and began fiddling with it.

“You know, we all think given the circumstances that you’ve been doing a fine job with her.”  They both look upon Emily as she struts to the book-way with her duffle bag.

“What’s in the bag?” Donovan asks as Emily slides it behind her with each step.

“Oh, some of us put some things together for Emily to use for next week’s play.”  Ms. Hamilton turns her attention back to Donovan as she looks at him with a ‘I hope you remembered our play next week’ sort of stare.  Donovan returned her silent concern with a smile of reassurance that he did remember.

“Yes.  Next week, I become a star!!”  Emily shouts as she drops the bag and raises her arms into the air.  Donovan and Ms. Hamilton laugh in unison as he reaches down to grab the bag.  He takes her sweater from off the floor and stuffs it into the bag as well.  Donovan and Emily head towards the door as Ms. Hamilton lets them out.  Emily and Ms. Hamilton share a big hug and Donovan gives a wave as the two begin walking towards the subway.

“I’m hungry.”  Emily blurts out, ending the unintentional silence that accompanied their walk.  One block from the subway station was a pizzeria, Emily’s favorite.  Donovan confirmed with her if that was what she was in the mood for and her smile was all the answer that he needed.   As they got in, Emily quickly ran to one of the empty booths and sat patiently as Donovan ordered a few slices.

When Donovan approached the table, he found Emily scribbling on a newspaper.  Looking further, he noticed that she was drawing glasses on the faces of all the men in the various pictures on the page.  Licking his lips, he sat down across from her  and put her slice within her reach.  After saying grace, they both start to eat, Emily concentrating on the page and Donovan staring at her in deep thought.

“What’s on your mind sweetie?” he finally asks, knowing he could not delay speaking with her.  For a few moments, Emily didn’t answer or move.  Donovan wasn’t sure how he should proceed, knowing that one wrong word could set her off.  He continued eating his slice, waiting for her to reply on her own terms.

“I miss her.” she said, finally.  Donovan put the rest of his slice down and got up to sit next to Emily.  As soon as he sat down, she rested her head on him and he could feel the drips of tears hitting is arm.  He held her close as she tried to talk through the tears.

“I miss her so much.  I miss them both.  Why aren’t they here Uncle D?”  At this point she could no longer control her tears and neither could he.  They both sat there in the booth, crying with each other over a shared pain.

“Your parents loved you so much Em.  If life had worked out differently, they would be here with you right now.”  He paused to wipe his few tears away, to appear strong in her eyes.

“But you should know, already they would’ve been so proud of you, the way I am.”  His words made her clutch him a bit tighter.  Donovan let some time pass before motioning that it was time to go.  With the remainder of their slices already boxed, the two headed for the subway to make it home before it got later.

As the train rolled in, they both ran for the corner seat as soon as the door opened.  Once the train moved into the tunnel, Emily propped her feet up on the seat and leaned into her uncle.  Finally comfortable, Donovan opened the paper form the pizzeria and folded it onto the comics section.

“Can I have the basketball section Uncle D?” Emily asks.  With a smile, Donovan hands her the section and she folds it just like he did.

“You know your daddy’s favorite team was the Nets right?” Donovan says.  Focused on the paper, Emily just sits there, staring at the words.