37 Days

iday mo

I spent the last year putting my life and career on hold to stay close to my parents house taking care of my father. In the

up killing himself to herion. It wasn't always this way though. I was once "daddy's little girl" h

me of my thoughts. The phone screen reads Steph. My be

couple more things and I'll be on

my last shift at 'Ricks Restaurant' last night and the other staff members threw me a going away party after closing. I had one too many drinks hence the late wake up. I

irl in months! And if I remember correctly, it was your 26th birth

catch up on sleep when I get there." She grunts through the line and I know she's rolling her eyes at me."Fine. I'll let you recover once you get here but I'm not taking no for an answer on par

but I'm just not interested in

enties I had my fair share of partying but it'

ft and without him, it got that bad. I've convinced him to check into several rehabs only to show up days later to visit finding that he had checked himself out and went off the grid as usual. I became his parent, constantly worrying about him wondering whether he was dead or alive until one day my worst fears came true. He was found in an alley with a needle in his arm by the police two months ago. In a way, it was bittersweet that

some miracle doesn't look half bad today because it's showing off some of my thin highlights. It's not my usual look but I don't have the energy to make

.

f my backpack hanging off my shoulder. It's sunny out today with a warm breeze. Normally, I love a day like this but t

ng their way toward me. I've grown very fond of the two of them in the past year. Mrs.Daniels passed away a couple years ago of cancer leaving just the two

back to visit." I reply with a lie "of cour

e's so smart and beautiful with eyes just like her dad. Her almost black hair reaches her shoulders and she tucks a str

ains that she's just going to miss me and

r

she knows I'm a sucker to keeping my promises. We hug again as Mr. Daniels tells me to drive safe and if I ever need him he's only a phone

l out my sunglasses and put them over my eyes because I don't really feel like dying today by the sun stealing my

o" I mumbl