MInTheGap Fiction Fiction Writing from MInTheGap

The End of Detective Schofield? – Page 5

The next morning, Kristin went to school, and I helped Tracy finish packing. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Yes. It’s only for a couple of days.”

“All right then.” I picked up her luggage and put it in the car. We drove over to the airport, where we embraced and she left. I returned to the house, and called over to Sam. “I’ll be right in Sam.”

“No trouble,” he said, “I’m fine and dandy.”

“All right, then I’ll just stay here today.” Kristin arrived home, and seeing as this was our day off of practice, we decided to eat at home. I asked David and Karin to join us, but they were going out to eat, and had pre-arranged dinner. Sitting down at the table, it was just Kristin and I for the first time in a while. “How was school?” I asked.

“Fine. Dad, where did Tracy go?”

“She went home to make wedding arrangements with her mother.”

“Oh. When will she be back?”

“I don’t know, dear.”

“Dad, let’s do something tonight.”

“Like what?”

“Let’s go sledding outside.”

“That’s a good idea.” I said. We both bundled up and took our sled outside and to the back of the house. It appeared that when David and Karin had come out here with Kristin and Katie that they had erected a neat sledding trail. We took turns sliding down it, when it began to snow. Colliding at the bottom, we just sat there looking at the huge, white snowflakes fall from the sky. “And they say that no two of these are alike.”

“No way.” She said.

“That’s what they say!”

“Dad?”

“Yes, dear?”

“We have a parent/teen sledding party tomorrow night. Would you come?”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Well you were busy and…”

“Darling, I’d love to come.”

“You would.”

“Yes.”

“Why? Because I’m the only one left around here?”

“No. Because you’re my daughter, I’m your father, and the last one to the top of the hill makes the hot chocolate!” I said, taking off up the slope.

“Dad, that’s not cool.” She said, chasing after me. We soon were finished, and returned indoors. I made some hot chocolate, we turned off all the lights in the house, and we sat down next to the fire.

“Here you go.” I said, handing her a mug.

“Now this is cool.” She said.

“I hope not.” I responded. “I also hope your homework is done.”

“It is,” she replied. I put my arm around her shoulders, and we snuggled tight. We both fell asleep in front of the fire.

The next morning, the sun shone in my eyes to wake me up. I quickly nudged Kristin, to get her awake. She awoke, ran upstairs to get her clothes and missed the bus. I offered to drive her to school and she accepted. We arrived there on time, and I went on to Sam’s. Once there, he had me doing menial chores for a few bucks. I returned home and Kristin and I had dinner and went to the parent/child party. It was quite fun. When we arrived home, Karin had a message for me. “Tracy called and wants you to call her back as soon as you get in.”

“Doesn’t she realize what time it will be there?”

“I hope so.”

“All right.” I picked up the phone and dialed her home phone. Just as the answering machine was about to kick in, I heard someone say, “Hello?”

“Hello. May I speak to Tracy?”

“This is she. Who is this?”

“This is Adam.”

“Oh. How’s it going?”

“Just fine. What did you want?”

“Well, my mom wants me to stick around a little while longer. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I guess not.”

“Thanks.” She said, hanging up. I went to bed. The rest of the week passed without a hitch.