Page 192 of His Sunshine Baby

“It’s time to let him go, Elena.”

I stare at her, a bit shocked.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, in a hoarse voice.

“His fight is over, Elena. You’re a stronger woman now. You’re not alone anymore. It’s time to let your father go.”

I keep staring at her, trying to understand her words. No, I understand what she’s saying; I just don’t want to hear, I don’t want to listen. Sylviana is speaking softly, so calmly I can’t even get mad or cry. Is she doing this?

She turns to my dad, looking at him like he’s an old friend of hers.

“Samuel needs to rest now, Elena.”

“He won’t wake up?”

“I think you have known the truth for a while now.”

I look at my father, choking up a bit. He only seems asleep.

“Sylviana, I don’t want to say goodbye…”

“I know.”

“Can you not?”

“It’s not me, Elena. It’s your father. He’s the one to decide. I’m not going to do anything. I only came for you.”

I feel a few tears on my cheeks. It’s so hard. I don’t want to let go, to say goodbye. I take his hand, and try to think of words to say. What haven’t I told him? In two years, I’ve said so much: I love you, goodbye, I’m proud to be your daughter… I never had any filter with him. Just my heart, poured out day after day to let him know how much I love the man who raised me.

After a while, I decide to take out my phone and select a song: Mom’s favorite song. I let it play out loud, and Sylviana smiles.

“It’s a pretty song.”

The singer’s voice is soothing, talking about love and his funny valentine. About his lover’s flows and strength. About how she doesn’t need to change a thing… I sing with him, softly. My voice is the worst it’s ever been, I’m hoarse and trying hard not to cry. As the last note hits, a long beep follows.

I hold my father’s hand a bit tighter.

“Elena, it’s alright. You can let go now.”

One of the nurses barges in, saying something I can’t hear. I can only hear Sylviana’s voice, trying to help me. I’m crying helplessly, unable to step away, unable to let go. She comes around and puts her hand on my shoulder, slowly whispering something to me. I don’t understand what she’s saying, but I feel something warm covering me, and my hands go numb. I can hear my own wailing, erratic and frantic. Sylviana pats my back.

They ask us to leave the room. I hear people giving orders, a doctor walks in as we walk out. Sylviana takes my hand and guides me outside. I’m not walking away from him; my father isn't in that room anymore

He’s gone.

“Elena? Take this.”

She puts a cup of hot tea in my hands. I don’t know how much time has passed, how long I cried. I take a deep breath and drink a bit. It burns my throat, but I feel a bit better.

“I can’t believe he went so fast…”

“He went peacefully. He was just glad you were there with him.”

“Do you know… what happens after death?” I ask, feeling a bit stupid.

She chuckles.

“Witches don’t have the same beliefs as humans or werewolves. We live different lives. I could give you an answer,yet like everyone else, I wouldn’t be able to prove it. Witches are part of a cycle. We live, we die, and we are reborn.”

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