Chapter 6 - THE PROMISE
The next morning, Gabriel asked Rachel and Lily to meet him in the
mansion’s garden.
He had arranged for a child psychologist to be available, but Lily
seemed comfortable. She carried a small basket containing three white
carnations.
“Are these for Daddy?” Gabriel asked.
“One for Daddy,” Lily said. “One for you. One for Mommy.”
Rachel knelt beside her.
“That’s very thoughtful.”
Lily handed Gabriel a flower.
“Daddy said you were his best friend.”
Gabriel accepted it carefully.
“He was mine too.”
“Were you sad when he went away?”
Gabriel swallowed.
“Every day.”
Lily studied him.
“Then why didn’t you come find us?”
Rachel closed her eyes.
It was the question she had feared.
Gabriel lowered himself to one knee.
“Because I believed something that wasn’t true. I was told you and your
mommy were gone. I should have checked. I should have kept looking. I
failed your daddy, and I failed you.”
Lily considered that.
“Are you going to leave again?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
Gabriel looked at Rachel, then back at the child.
“I promise I will never let anyone make you feel forgotten again. And if
I have to go somewhere, I will tell you where I’m going and when I’ll be
back.”
Lily seemed satisfied.
Rachel watched him.
“Promises are easy to make,” she said quietly.
“I know.”
“Daniel made one too.”
Gabriel looked down at the flower.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to honor his.”
A few days later, Gabriel arranged a memorial at the cemetery. He did
not make it a public event. Only Rachel, Lily, Marcus, and a handful of
people who had truly known Daniel attended.
A white stone had been placed beside Daniel’s grave.
DANIEL HAYES A loyal friend. A loving husband. A devoted father. He
stood for what was right.
Lily placed her carnation at the base.
“That’s the flower I brought to the dinner,” she whispered.
Gabriel stood beside her.
“I know.”
“Vanessa threw it away.”
“I’m sorry.”
“But you picked it up.”
Gabriel looked at the small flower in his hand.
“Yes.”
Lily smiled faintly.
“Then Daddy got it.”
Gabriel felt his throat tighten.
For three years, he had believed Daniel’s story ended in a warehouse.
Now he understood that the man had left behind more than evidence.
May you like
He had left behind a family.
And Gabriel finally had the chance to keep his promise.
