June 22, 2010 – Write From Karen

1. Help Kevin graduate from a walker to a cane before September.
2. Get to know Springfield Bloggers
3. Proudly display our American Flag for all to see.
4. Could care less if I offend someone w/ my patriotism.
5. Watch, and worry, while boys set off firecrackers on the 4th.
6. Spray weed killer.
7. Install another air conditioning window unit in kitchen.
8. Even though I have no clue how to do so.
9. Sell our bariatric commode on Craigs list.
10. Promises that our bariatric commode is very clean and hardly used.
11. Sell our shower stool on Craigs list.
12. Promises that shower stool has hardly been used, in excellent shape.
13. Take boys swimming.
14. Whether they want to or not.
15. Because it’s not summer unless you go swimming, at least once.
16. Take Dude to get his Senior pictures taken.
17. Nothing too fancy, but better than something I could do.
18. Design area school websites.
19. With the intent of luring them into wanting to buy them from me.
20. Get a job.
21. Preferably something in technical writing.
22. But a bookstore would be cool, too.
23. Drive Kevin to band practice.
24. Drive Kevin to band gigs.
25. Go to New York w/ wheelchair bound husband.
26. Go on cruise to Canada w/ wheelchair bound husband.
27. Buy PhotoShop Elements Seven (cause it’s cheaper).
28. Learn PhotoShop Elements Seven
29. Beam with pride while watching Jazz’s marching band premiere.
30. Get kids ready for another school year.

“Dad, would you dance with me?” Shelia held her hand out and swallowed back the pebble of fear on the back of her tongue. Would he accept? Or would he look at her like he didn’t know her?

Please, she thought to herself, remember, just this once.

The older man gave her a brilliant smile and Shelia released a soft sigh. She curled her fingers around the old man’s wrinkled hand and gently led him to the dance floor. She smiled and nodded at the other guests as she guided them through the crowd and out onto the dance floor. Todd, her new husband, stood on the sidelines and gave her a quick thumbs up to indicate he knew everything was fine and he was happy for her.

Being able to dance with her father, and him knowing who she was and what was going on, was something she had prayed would happen for nearly a year.

“You look so pretty,” he said, his words a bit broken, but recognizable.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his papery cheek. “Thanks dad. I’m so glad you were able to make it.”

“Why wouldn’t I make it?” he asked her, his blue eyes sparkling in surprise.

“It doesn’t matter,” she mumbled and gazed lovingly into his weathered face. “I hope you know just how much I love you.”

Her father’s smile began to fade, his eyes clouded over. “Who are you again?”
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Fiction under 250 words.

Inspired by this Post Secret

Day: June 22, 2010

My “Must Do” Summer List

Flash Fiction: Fading Fast