Aleer was leaning against the edge of his desk in the dark, palms pressed firmly into the solid wood. His fingers drummed quietly as he spoke into the darkness.
“There has to be something else you can tell me Verick.”
“There is nothing more I can say.”
“What do you mean ‘a deal has been made’? By whom?” Aleer pushed himself away from the desk and paced the short length of the office. “Damn you Verick, I wish you could answer just one of my questions with a plain statement for once. None of this ring around the rosie bullshit you always give.”
“You know my response as to why.”
“Yea, yea. Just answer me this, please. Was I supposed to die?” Aleer swallowed hard and mulled over the question in his mind. Did he really want to know?
“Death is as elegant as a sunset.”
“You are a son of a bitch Verick.” Aleer stopped pacing and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Daddy?” Aleer turned. His daughter was standing in the partially lit hallway peering around the door frame. Her eyes were heavy with sleep causing her to rub them with the back of one hand.
“Awe, did I wake you darling? I am sorry. Lets both get back to bed.” Aleer crossed the room and pulled his daughter up into his arms. Her head instantly found his shoulder. He felt her nod in response as she encircled his neck with her tiny arms. Her room was down the hallway on the left and was distinguishable as hers by the plum walls with fantastical drawings. He set her light and fragile body on the matching plumb sheets and pulled the covers up to her chin. When he kissed her good night she spoke.
“Daddy, who were you talking to? I didn’t see anyone.” Aleer gulped and let the familiar lie slip between his lips.
“Daddy was talking to his good friend on the phone sweetheart. Now time to get some sleep.” His kissed her forehead again and silently left her room. He was waiting for her to inquire more, to ask how he could talk on his cell phone when it was on the kitchen counter but she didn’t. She was asleep once more, falling into dreams as quick as only children can. Aleer lingered outside her door for just a moment before Verick began speaking to him.
“Ahh, sunsets.” He mused. Aleer could almost see his mind wonder off. Verick began to speak but the words came out as if he singing them, “Over the fields of clouds, lit by sun’s fire, we walk across the sky. Forbidden to bath in golden rays, we fell but opened eyes we received. A curse and a blessing for the sunsets seared our souls but illuminated our wings. Neither above nor below, we now make our home.”
Mile 29 