Page 179 of Invisible String
My dad gives me the biggest hugs in the world, like he can’t let go. Maybe it’s because of work that he has to leave for long periods of time, but he always wants to give my mom and me bear hugs.
“I love you, baby girl.” Dad swallows hard. I think he might cry.
Mom takes my hand and leads me into the classroom, where the kids sit on the red fluffy carpet. She then kisses me and waves bye.
I smile big because I’m a big girl now.
Another distant memory surfaces.
I’m eight years old today. Mom’s throwing me a party. I’ve also joined a new dance class, and I love it. I turn on the music in my room and dance. My feet guide me to the rhythm of the music. This song is upbeat. I dance like the woman in those music videos. I shake my body, then my butt.
“Sol?” My dad walks in and cocks his head. “What are you doing?” My dad came back from the military for two months. He’s going back and will be gone for much longer. My heart hurts when he leaves. I miss him, and my mom gets so sad.
“Dancing, Dad.” My tone comes out sassy. “I’ve been watching the girls dance in those music videos.”
He rubs his chin. “Ahh, I think those types of dances are not for a young girl. How about country dancing, salsa, cumbia, orwaltz? Hell, even some slow dances, twirling, ballet. Anything but those dances where you shake your booty.”
I groan, then nod. He changes the station and puts his hand out. “May I have this dance, my eight-year-old princess?”
“Yes, of course, sir.” I giggle.
My dad laughs. The song “Butterfly Kisses”by Bob Carlisle plays. I step on my dad’s boots. He guides me until I get the hang of the steps. My mom walks in grinning. She’s so beautiful. Mom leans in the doorway and sings the song. My dad shoots her a wink, and she blushes.
When I grow up, I want to marry someone who loves me like my dad loves my mom.
After that song, another plays, and my dad puts his hand out for my mom to take.
“My two favorite girls,” my dad says as he spins Mom, then bends her back. He gives her a kiss on the lips, and I’m out the door, making a face of disgust.
My mom left the cake batter on the table. I dip my finger and taste the chocolate goodness. My mom is really good at making cakes from scratch, none of the box stuff.
Five minutes later, heels click on the tile. “Sol, what are you doing, mija? You’re going to get a tummy ache.”
“Hungry, Mom.”
“You nearly ate the cake batter.” She sighs, and now I feel bad. “I’ll make you a quesadilla.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll make more. It’s no biggie. I love baking. I just didn’t want you to get sick.” Mom caresses my cheeks lovingly. Just like always, I bathe in it.
“Thank you. I’ll go help Dad decorate.”
In an instant, those precious moments slip through my fingers. Before I can grasp them with my heart to make sure I’ll remember when I wake, I fall into a tunnel of darkness.
I want to scream so loud my heart hurts so much. A man in the same uniform as my dad knocked on our door. Mom said to go to my room, but I didn’t listen. The man apologized to Mom. He said my dad is gone. She’s rocking back and forth on the living room floor. I sit beside her and wrap my arms around her waist. She holds me tight while we both sob.
“Is she okay?” a man yells.
Max.
My eyelids are heavy, and I realize I’ve just come out of unconsciousness. I seem to drift in and out. “Her heart rate spikes, then stabilizes,” Max informs, who I assume is the doctor.
“She’s stable now. This is normal with head injuries.”
“Max, do you want me to stay? You haven’t left, and you need to rest. If she wakes, I’ll call you immediately.” Lana’s voice comes out soft.
“I showered here. Thank you. I’m good.”
