literature

Star Dust

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Star Dust

A cicada's sonata fills the air with a vibe of tranquillity. Staring up at the glistening night sky, you sip the sweet cocoa from your favourite cup. A simple mug that is painted over with the words – 'bestest dad ever', in an incredibly feminine pink. The pink paint contained traces of glitter, sparkling softly with the moonlight above.
“Hey daddy, what's yah doing?”
With another sip from the warm frothy concoction, you smile happily at your daughter's curiosity. She is just as cute as she always was; grinning up at you with her two missing teeth, and her auburn eyes glimmering. Turning away from her precious smile, you gaze back towards the stars and the planets.
“I am admiring the view from down here.”

“Silly daddy!” Such an infectious giggle.
With a few little belly laughs of your own, you drink the rest of the hot chocolate, leaving a tickling brown moustache across your upper lip.
“What do you think, do I look all posh now?”
The moustache joke was lost to the empty air as a breeze blows underneath your long sleeved shirt. She is gone again, children have an annoying habit of vanishing when you want to say something. Wiping the froth from your upper lip, you walk back to the old patio.

With each step up the wooden stairs, a creak echoes out in alert. She could be hiding by the back door again trying to scare you. It usually didn't work, as she always hid there, but feigning a jump was always fun; it also got her giggling. Such an infectious giggle. With the rusted fly wire door groaning against the hinges, you peek around the corner. Not tonight it seems.

After a disappointed sigh, you move towards the kitchen to clean out your mug. There aren't many dishes on the sink, just the one plate and its set of cutlery. You wash it anyway, as you always did. It never takes long to clean, so you may as well. A bit of water, a bit of dish liquid and a small cloth, and everything was as gleaming as always.

As you empty the sink, you watch as the water spirals down the drain. It's only a couple more days until you leave, you may as well make the most of it. Moving through the house silently in your soft socks, you make your way to your daughters bedroom, where her name is scribbled across the door in more of the shiny pink paint. Gently you turn the cold metallic knob, just in case she is sleeping. The door squeals almost as loudly as the back door as you open it to reveal the painted walls.

Leaving the light off, you pad across the empty carpet towards the bed. The pillows and the blanket are adorned with printed unicorn covers; each of the horned horses seem to smile at you in an overly happy way. Rubbing your finger across the wooden carved head piece, you notice the thick layer of dust coating the fine craftsmanship.
“I will have to clean this room tomorrow.”
Stealing back out into the hallway, you decide it is time for your usual tradition: Scotch.

~~~

Weary from the day of cleaning, you lay on the noodle like grass, the full moon illuminating the empty yard. The old swing set was rocking back and forth in the light breeze, giving sound to cicada-less evening.
“Why yah layin' on the ground daddy?”
Rolling your head across the dirt, you watch your daughter as her cute little fingers rip out strands of the green grass. She looks kind of sad today, you will be leaving tomorrow – that is probably the reason.
“How's this sound, while I'm up in space – I'll collect you some star dust. What do you say?”
Her eyes lit up like light globes at the idea.
“Really daddy, that would be awesome!”
“Yeah, I'll get you a whole bunch from that big one there.” Pointing to the star Sirius, you listen to her giggles of joy. Such an infectious giggle, you find yourself laughing once more.
“Thanks daddy, your the bestest.”
“Yeah, well your the bestest little girl a dad could have.” She was gone again, but the words still rung true.

Standing up, you begin your trek back inside. No scotch tonight, you have to get up early in the morning. You know it's going to be hard heading off into outer space, and leaving the house and your daughter. It is something you have to do though. Opening the fly wire, you jump out of your slippers in pretend shock.
“Got yah daddy.”
Holding your heart like an elderly lady you put on your best woman accent. “I do believe I'm getting to old for this darling. Shouldn't you be sleeping.”
Giggling once more, she darted of in the direction of her room. Such an infectious little giggle.

Smiling, you head into the kitchen. A single plate and cutlery greets you as always, and in typical fashion – you clean them spotless. Again you watch the soap bubbling water disappear down the drain. What will it be like out there in the star filled vacuum. What will it be like without her infectious giggles keeping you company? Real fear was setting in, but it is a fear you have to overcome. Stern faced, you open up a packet of sleeping tablets; neatly removing two of the capsules from the foil, in preparation for the long night.

~~~

The kettle hisses as the first shades of orange break through the kitchen window. You had already prepared everything the day before, now all that is left is to drink a fine cup of coffee and await your lift.
“Hey daddy, why are the birds so noisy?”
Every little blue bird, parrot, gala and honey pecker is chirping with the rising sun. “They're all demanding food. Remember the saying the early bird gets the worms?”
Even this early in the morning she begins giggling. “Is that why your up so early daddy? To get the worms?”
Her laugh isn't as infectious as usual.
“No baby, it's because I have to head off early so I can catch my flight into outer space.”
“You'll remember my star dust right.”
The kettle clicks loudly in notification of finishing its job. Pouring the steaming water into your bestest dad mug, you stir the instant coffee until all the visible granules are gone.
“Of course I will remember.”
You try to force a smile, but the result is just a weak twitch of your lips.

Sipping the coffee, it tastes bitter against your tongue. You had forgotten the sugar and scorched the coffee granules in one cup.  Frowning, you tip the disgusting liquid down the sink before washing your mug. A car horn outside saves you from the compulsion of making another brew. Grabbing your pack from the bench, you swish saliva around in your mouth, trying to remove the bitter taste. Opening the front door, you turn to smile at your daughter. She is gone again.
“See yah baby.” You say out loud, hoping she'll hear it. Closing the door, you lock it behind you – the taxi patiently waiting as you pocket the keys.

“Good morning, how are you today?”
Ducking into the low yellow car, you buckle your seat-belt promptly before responding. “I'm fine.”
“Just fine? You're heading to the space station aren't yah? Must be great going out there to see all the stars.”
“Yeah.” A hesitant response, but an efficient one as far as your concerned. As the driver pulls out of the driveway, you remove the small heart shaped locket from under your shirt.
“Wow she's a cutie, how old is she.”
“She was five when this was taken. I promised to get her some star dust on my trip.”
“That's very cool of you. How old is she now?”
Eyes blurring, you close the locket and return it next to your own beating heart. With a deep swallow you look out the window, avoiding eye contact with the driver.
“She's dead.” She always did like to vanish with a giggle.
Inspired by a 100 theme list. I like to write emotional stuff. =)
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