One Last Good-Bye

Posted on Wed Nov 7th, 2018 @ 9:09pm by

621 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: The Emerald Road
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Current

Closing her tear filled eyes, "Not you too dad..."

Charlie received sad news today. A family member sent her a holodeck program, hoping it would ease the pain. She made her way to the holodeck and walked over to the door, named the program and entered with a basket in hand.

She was quite impressed with the program a friend sent her. The doors opened up to Sequoia trees and a small stream. The sounds and smell of the forest was there as well. It was perfect.

She walked over to the stream and knelled down to touch the water. It was very cold to the touch. She stood back up and took in the sounds and smell. It was just like she remembered. The first time she visited the Sequoias in California, she was a little girl. As she got older, it was a tradition with her father. Every year, on her birthday, he'd take her there.

Dinner consisted of a can of beans, franks, and smores for dessert. Mom wasn't much for camping. But it was okay. It gave her and her dad a chance to bond.

She built a fire and grabbed a blanked which she wrapped around her shoulders and enjoyed the heat of the fire. The beans cooked over the fire and a frank was skewered. She held it over the fire as well and cooked it.

She ate the food but it just wasn't the same. Her dad was missing from the scene. She thought about him a lot while she was there. She missed him and was sad that she didn't get to say goodbye.

Charlie was going to make herself a smore but again, it just wasn't the same. She started to feel angry. Why, she asked herself, would someone be so cruel to send her this program? It was just a reminder that she wasn't there for him.

She got up, kicked dirt into the fire, snuffing it out and started to walk towards the exit. A familiar voice came from behind her. "Hello Charlie." She turned around and froze for a moment. It was her dad.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. He put his arms around her and held her for a moment. He felt so real. "I gave orders that if I was to pass and you were not with me, to send this to you. I am with your mother now so don't weep for me. I love you so much and I have been so lucky to have you for a daughter. I along with your mother, have always been proud of you. I know you are hurting right now but in time, it will get better. One day, you will join us and we will all be together again."

"I wish I was there for you like I was for my mother. I miss you so much." She wiped her eyes.

"I love you Charlie." He kissed her on the forehead, headed for the light and disappeared just like you would see on one of the old TV shows of the 20th century. He enjoyed old shows so it wasn't a surprise that he went out like that.

Charlie smiled, for her dad got the send off that he wanted. She walked back over to the fire pit and restarted it. She made herself a smore and ate it as a homage to her father.

At least she was able to say goodbye although he wouldn't never hear it. But her father knew her too well, knowing that she would feel bad for not being with him during his last days and not be able to say goodbye. This was his gift to her...closure.

"End program."

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