"Lexi, I love you more than anything, but there are certain things that I miss, like the intimacy I had with your mother. We loved each other more th...n I can say, but we also had a very special physical connection. I don't expect you to understand right now, but some day you will know what I mean." I do understand Daddy. I'm not a little girl any more, and I can be here for you. I like taking care of you, and want to make you happy like mom did. Please Daddy, I would do anything for you,". I moved with purpose once I entered the store, got everything I needed, and was out the door in less than 20 minutes. Once I got home I looked at the glowing green numbers on the clock on the stove and saw that I had maybe an hour or so before everyone was supposed to arrive. I arranged all the food on the countertop that was to be cooked, washed my hands and then went into my walk-in closet to figure out what to wear for the rest of the day. It was a beautiful day outside, not too hot but. Don didn't sleep well with those thoughts and the pain of losing Jessie weighing on him. His eyes burst open when he felt Jessie squeeze his hand."Don?" Her hoarse whisper was barely audible."Jessie? Are you okay? Do you want me to call the nurse?" No, Don. It's too late for that. Tell Kasey I love her. Take care of her for me." I will." I know. Take care of yourself too. Don't pine for me. Find someone who will love you and help you care for Kasey." I don't want to think about that right now.". A silence falls between us.After a while I have to speak “why did you tell them?”“I’m not really meant to say!” Stacey replies, looking down at our hands.“Oh, come on Stacey!”“I told them everything about that night in the house and the times before!” Her head was still hung low.Anger slowly boils inside me. “What else did he do?”“Not a lot...” she trails off.“Stacey please” I squeeze her hand. “That night... that night wasn’t the first time he had hit me.”My free hand clenches as I see tears.