I awoke several hours later, to the smell of coffee.
Eva was not in bed with me.
I don't know why, but a panic hit me. Whisper was usually the one who made coffee in the morning.
What if?
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I jumped out of bed and went to the kitchen.
Eva was staring out the kitchen window, sipping on a coffee.
Whisper was nowhere to be seen.
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I took a deep breath of relief.
"Morning."
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She turned and smiled. The most beautiful smile in the world.
"Good morning."
She walked to me and gave me a kiss. She tasted so good and smelled so good.
"Coffee?"
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"Please," I said, happily.
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Whisper suddenly appeared next to her. As Eva picked up the coffee pot, Whisper pushed it from her hand. It fell to the floor, smashing into a hundred pieces and splashing hot coffee all over the floor and cupboards.
Whisper looked at me briefly, a strange, blank look on her face and disappeared.
I was in total shock.
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"Oh my God Will. I am so sorry. I don't know what happened. It was like someone pushed it from my hand."
Evangeline was standing in one spot, looking at the mess on the floor.
.
'Someone did.'
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Whisper appeared in front of my face.
"I don't like her Daddy. She is not a good person."
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"Stop it," I glared at her.
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Eva looked at me, still panicked. "Stop what?"
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I had to think quick.
"I mean, don't move. There is glass everywhere, hun. Let me get a broom."
I put up my hand.
"Just stay there, until I get it swept a little."
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She simply nodded, a look of fear on her face.
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I went to the cleaning closet. The broom was gone.
'Whisper.'
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She appeared in the closet.
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'What are you doing?'
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"I don't like her," Whisper said, angrily.
"She is not a good woman."
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'I do. Now where is the broom?'
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The broom appeared as Whisper disappeared.
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I hurried back to Eva.
"I am so sorry."
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"Why are you sorry, honey? It was my fault."
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I cleaned up the glass as best I could and then got some dish towels from the linen drawer. Eva helped me clean up the last of it.
I went to the basement and got my shop vac to make sure every sliver of glass was vacuumed up.
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"I don't know what happened Will," Evangeline apologized, as she wiped the cupboard doors, under the sink.
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I took the dishcloth from her and threw it in the garbage bag I had.
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"You don't have to throw them out, you know," she reminded me.
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I shook my head.
"Not taking any chances. There could be slivers of glass in them."
I tied the bag.
"Besides, they are cheap."
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She stood up and leaned across the sink.
"I don't know what happened Will. It just felt like..."
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I hugged her from behind.
"As long as you are okay, that is all that I care."
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She turned around.
"I am fine."
She put her arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder.
"It was just so strange."
She laughed slightly.
"You sure you don't have ghosts?"
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'Just one.'
I kissed her cheek, laughing softly.
"Not that I know of."
I stepped back from her and pushed her hair from her face.
"I tell you what. Why don't you go shower and I will pack? We can pick up some coffee on the way."
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She smiled and kissed me. "Ok, hun. Again, I am so sorry."
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"Don't be. No harm done."
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I walked with her to the bedroom. When I heard the shower going, I went into Whisper's room. She was at the computer. I walked over and turned it off.
"What was that about young lady? Someone could have gotten hurt."
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Whisper folded her arms and looked at me with a sour look on her face. "I don't like her."
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"Since when? You were the one that bent the key, remember? To get her to stay."
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"That was before."
She got up from the desk and walked to her bed, jumping up on the foot of the bed.
"She is no good for you. She will only break us apart."
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"What?"
I looked at the sad little girl in front of me. "Do you think I would ever let anyone come between us?"
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"But she is. You spend more time with her than you do with me."
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I didn't know what to say. I had absolutely no experience in this field.
"Sweetie, you are my little girl, but I need someone..."
I was at a loss for words.
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"Someone real?" Whisper suggested, sarcastically.
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"No sweetie."
Still couldn't find the right words.
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"Then what Daddy?"
Again she folded her arms, glaring at me.
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"I need someone my own age. Someone I can be close to. Someone I can love."
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"You can love me," she snapped.
"You say that you love me. I love you."
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How could I possibly explain what I was feeling?
"I do love you sweetie," I tried to explain, as I sat next to her.
"But I love you like a daughter. I need someone to love, like, well like your other Daddy loved your Mommy."
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"You are my Daddy. I don't have any other Daddy."
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"You know what I mean Whisper."
I tried to put my arm around her, but she jumped off the bed, walking back to the desk.
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"My other Daddy left me. He hates me," Whisper informed me.
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"No sweetie." I walked to her, knelt in front of her and gently turned her to me.
"He still loves you, I am sure."
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"NO." She floated away from me, appearing near the bedroom door.
"HE HATES ME AND NOW YOU HATE ME."
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I stood quickly, my heart pounding.
"No I don't. Why would you say such a thing?"
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"You want to be with HER," Whisper snapped, pointing at the bedroom wall.
"You only love her, now."
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I shook my head.
"That is not true, Whisper."
I started walking toward her, but she put up her hand. I stopped.
"Honey please try to understand."
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"NO. DON'T CALL ME HONEY. That's what you call her."
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I was lost. I had no idea what to say.
My mind was just a mass of broken thoughts.
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"JUST GO," Whisper yelled at me, opening the door.
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"Whisper, please try to understand."
I was so lost. I had never seen Whisper angry.
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"JUST GO," she yelled again.
"I HATE YOU."
She disappeared.
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I stood there in silence, my heart broken. Tears were falling from my eyes and rolling down my cheek.
"Whisper?"
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I fell to my knees. I suddenly felt more alone than I had ever in my entire life. I could barely breathe and my heart was pounding so loudly, I thought it was going to explode.
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I called her name again, but still, she did not answer.
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Slowly, I got to my feet and went to her ensuite, where I wet a facecloth and wiped my face. I did not want Evangeline to see me like this.
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I called her name one last time and slowly left the room, turning off the light behind me.
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Whisper did not reappear.
I put down extra food and water for Ghost and Spirit and Evangeline and I left for Grand Falls.