Daddy Dearest

Daddy Dearest

I have a story to tell. So listen closely. It is now 11:33 pm, I have less than a half
hour to live. My story actually begins four years ago, the date of my daughter’s birth. Seya came in the world the usual way. That’s when I discovered my daughter is special. Yea, I know all fathers believe their daughters are special. But Seya has super powers. No she can’t fly, or walk through walls, or throw a magical hammer across the galaxy. She has a connection with the other side. Before you shake your head and walk away, please hear me out.
One cold night six months ago, I put my four year old daughter to bed. As usual I
told her a story and listened to her prayers which she ended by saying - God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy, God bless Grandma and good-bye Grandpa.
I thought that was strange so I asked her Why did you say good-bye Grandpa?
She smiled and said I don’t know Daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do. I think everything will be fine. He’s going to a very nice place.
I said He told you this when?
She just smiled and said When I said my prayers.
I never told anyone about that night.
The next day Grandpa died.
I thought of Seya’s odd prediction the night before but I just put if off as a strange coincidence. Grandpa was not in the greatest of health and he was eighty-two years old. For a black man that’s a good long life.
Just so you don’t think my reaction was slightly odd, let me tell you this. Fours
months after Seya birth the doctors told us that Seya’s brain was wired differently from most folk. She had several unusual connections. My wife CoCo and I thought no problem. We’ll love her just the same.

“It’s 11:45 pm. Where was I? Okay.”

Life went back to normal as did our bedtime rituals. Bath, story time and prayers.
The prediction of Grandpa’s death a distant memory.
Several months later I put Seya to bed and listened to her prayers, which went like
this- God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy and good-bye Grandma.
Seya you said goodbye Grandma, that’s what I asked her.
Yes, that’s what you say when someone goes away. But I think everything will be fine Daddy. She going to be with Grandpa again.
The following day, Grandma died.
My goodness, Seya can talk with people on the other side.
I called CoCo, my mother and my brother Michael together.
Whew, Michael is a entirely another story I could tell. Everything of mine, he has to have. One summer he.. never mind.
Mother said I needed to take a vacation. Michael suggested I should seek professional help. CoCo stretched and yawned like a feline looking for a spot to retire.
For an entire month, I cringed whenever Seya said her prayers. CoCo wouldn’t
enter her bedroom. She has always been afraid of Seya.
Hate to repeat myself, but there is a story in that relationship also.
Again things returned to normal. Several months passed.
Well, I am sure you can guess what happened next.
Yep, last night when Seya said goodbye Daddy I went into shock.
My head actually hurt, like a brain freeze on a hot summer day.
I didn’t sleep at all last night, not a single wink. I was as nervous as a toddler
in a doctor’s office.
First sunlight, I sprinted to the office. All day, I stayed in my office. Had lunch delivered in. Drank strong black coffee and watched the clock. Whenever the phone rang, I screamed. I figured if I could get by until midnight I would be ok
s as if my office has a Grim Reaper deflector shield.

It’s 11:57 pm.

‘The night cleaning crew just left the building. I will be found in the morning. Stiff
and cold. Oww! Oh, that’s my cell phone. It’s my wife. I’ll put her on speaker so that you can hear.’
“Thomas, why are still at the office? You left me with Seya all day. I have
some very bad news, baby. Michael came over to help me watch Seya. He dropped dead
in the kitchen.”