“He’s home!” Tranya waved down to the street below. She followed his movement, to the second window, third, and then fourth. Her voice squealed with excitement. “He’s home! He’s home!” She jumped up and down, her pigtails followed.
“Tranya, come here,” her mother reached out, missing the girl as she slipped through her arms. Her pink patent leather shoes clicked against the rock steps as she ran to greet him. She stopped at the door, turning to look at her mom. “I’m sure he’s brought me something! Whenever he carries his case, there’s always a present in it for me.”
Her mother took a deep breath and waited.
The man, wearing a long black trench coat, kept his head down. The brim of his hat covered much of his eyes and some of his face.
He sat his bag down on the sidewalk. The child ran, jumping into his arms, she gushed. “Daddy!”
His smile, familiar though not the one she longed to see, made her heart sink. “Uncle Fin, you’re not my daddy. Where is he?” Her eyes scanned the busy road as tears filled her mother’s eyes.
“Come, sweetie. Me and your uncle need to talk to you.”
The couple lagged behind as Tranya led the way back inside.
“Is everything taken care of?” Her mom whispered to her uncle.
“Yes, I have the policies with me,” he patted his case. “The only way he returns is to haunt us,” he laughed, reaching for the woman’s hand.
“Not funny,” she refused his gesture.
Once inside, the three sat down at the kitchen table.
“Tranya,” her uncle spoke. “Your father is de…..”
“Daddy!” Tranya exited her seat and bolted towards her father as he entered from the patio.
“As you were saying, brother…”
Leesa Writes 