Free Bird
“Some schmuck got hit downtown on the railroads on their scooter.”
That’s how I found out my dad was dead.
I called his phone over and over—no answer.
I called for a wellness check.
I called Dustin, knowing he would go check on him.
I called Kassandra: “Boss, I have to go check on my dad.”
As I was getting ready to leave, Dustin called me back—hysterical. I screamed… and then the world went silent.
I ran. I ran out of work and collapsed on the ground. Kassandra came running and caught me as I fell. I screamed. I cried.
Then the officer arrived to tell me what I already knew: he was gone. My dad was gone.
I made the calls because I already knew how.
My mom made the calls because she knew how too.
Even though they were divorced, my mom identified his body so we wouldn’t have to remember him that way. That kind of strength makes her my hero.
We had him cremated. In June, we held a celebration of life to honor him.
“Free Bird” played—because that was the one request I knew he had.
And now he’s a free bird.
My daddy.
Love your baby girl
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