Iren

Daddy’s breathes came in graspy and shallow. I counted them in my head as his heart monitor was starting to give out.

Damn him.

I had told him to get the damn device put in his chest. Why? Why? Why couldn’t he ever listen to me on it? Damnable pride.

John Henry Jones didn’t answer to no one not even the daughter that had care for him, paid his bills and gambling debts and cooked his meals.. Damn him and his male pride and….

He looked at me. I went over to his bed and took his hand. He stared at me narrowing his eyes. I knew his thoughts.

“I promise. I’ll get the book to the Seed. I won’t let you down.”

His face relaxed. He smiled at me as he died. The doctors and nurses pushed me away. I picked up the old giant leather book from my chair. I backed away as the doctors tried to save him. My phone vibrated in my pocket. That was Chad. I had to go.

I stayed though. Until, it was finally over. They left the room quietly and covered his face. This was it. The paper was already signed. Daddy would get cremation and have his ashes buried next to my mother’s grave..It was over.

No. I still had one more favor to do for my Daddy. One more job that had to get done. Then I was done and on my own.

I turned to go but then stopped. Damn him. He couldn’t leave me nothing but a job to do for him. I wasn’t even allowed to look inside the book.

I looked back at him and went over to his body. His face was frozen with that same happy expression. I looked under his shirt and took the necklace that had the ring.

Leave it girl. Don’t you dare take it when I’m gone. It’s bad luck.

I heard his Warnings in my head from days before when I asked him if I could have it. He had shook his head stiffly and made me promise not to take it. He said it wasn’t right for a woman to have a ring from his thieving days. He said the ring was cursed. But, he never took it off or got rid of it. He always had it sense before I could remember.

I looked at the inscription inside the gold band. JJ x LB.

I knew JJ was Daddy so whoever LB was had to be my mother. If not I was going to find out. I took the necklace from him. I turned to leave and froze.

Chad Whett stood in the door way in a black hoodie two gold chains and black jeans. He stared at me knowing the promise I had made to my Daddy. I put the necklace on and raised my chin at him. “You got something to say shorty?”

Chad smiled. “I’m just waiting for you to come on. We got a flight to catch.”

“Your not-“

“Save it. You’re already losing it. Can’t let that happen. It would effect our business together. Let’s go.” He said and looked at my father. “See you, John.” He said turning and walking away.

I turned back to Daddy picking up the book before I leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Sorry. But, you should have expected it from me. I am your daughter.”

I turned and walked quickly out of the room.

First draft

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