“Chad, this is the last cigarette. I’m saying goodbye to you. I hope you know I’ll always be your father. I’ll never say I have one child. I’ll always say I have two sons. I can finally move on. I got justice for you, boy, and I thank you for being in my life. I thank God for trusting me to bring you up, and help you become a man.” He wiped a tear away. “I know you were here, Chad, with me, every step of the way since the moment you passed away. You didn’t stay for you, you stayed for me. You couldn’t move on because I couldn’t move on. We worked together, didn’t we? A team. We got it done. I know you brought Diesel to help me and keep me company. In your own way, you brought Kim to me, too…
“Do you remember what we used to say to one another when you were a little boy right before bedtime? I’d say, ‘Chad, I love you. Do you know how long Daddy will love you?’ and you’d laugh with your silly self as I tickled you and tucked you in bed. You’d look up at me with those big blue eyes of yours and say, ‘You’ll love me, always, Daddy, and I’ll love you always, too.’”
Churns of smoke eddied off into the air. The sun was practically gone, leaving pale blues and light purple swirls in the atmosphere. He kept smoking, almost finished with the cigarette, ready to return inside the house for an evening with his family.
But as he got ready to call Diesel to come back in the house, he noticed something. His heart practically stopped beating when the smoke from his cigarette drifted in the sky, right in front of him.
It moved in an odd sort of way, forming shapes…
No, letters…
Jack’s eyes narrowed, and a tear ran down his cheek as the fog shaped itself into a message.
A message he would cherish forever.
Crystal clear—as much as the dawn on a crisp spring day after a long, dark winter—the word ‘Always’ spelled out before him in ethereal but unmistakable form.
“Love you always,” he whispered again. “Safe travels, son. Until we meet again.”
~The End~
BLACK ICE PLAYLIST
1. Oasis – Wonderwall
2. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
3. Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
4. Pearl Jam – Black
5. Concrete Blonde – Joey
6. Sundiver Ca – Soundtrack for Your Backseat
7. Filter – Hey Man, Nice Shot
8. Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
9. Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
10. Bob Dylan – Make You Feel My Love
11. Smashing Pumpkins – 1979
12. Thomas Rhett – Die A Happy Man
13. Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On (featuring MØ)
14. Selina – Pretty in Pink
15. Doja Cat and Gwen Stefani’s – You Right X Luxurious
16. Deep Blue Something’s – Breakfast At Tiffany’s
17. Sixpence None The Richer’ – Kiss Me
18. Radiohead – Creep
19. Alanis Morissette – Ironic
20. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
21. Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere
22. Crowded House – Don’t Dream it’s Over
23. Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy
24. Peabo Bryson – Feel the Fire
25. Jill Scott – He Loves Me
26. Joy Crookes – Trouble
27. Robert Glasper – Shine (featuring D Smoke and Tiffany Gouché)
28. SiR – Teach Me
29. Hiatus Kaiyote – Get Sun
30. SiR – The Recipe
31. JMSN – So Badly
32. Bob Marley – Waiting In Vain
33. Cleo Sol – Don’t Let Me Go
34. Supaman – Why
35. Bear Fox – Sky World
36. DJ Shub – Indomitable ft. Northern Cree Singers
37. Chelou – Out Of Sight
38. Red Eagle – Still Here
39. Stevie Nicks – Stand Back
40. Steve Lacey – Dark Red
41. Raury – Devil’s Whisper
42. Her’s – What Once Was
43. Jill Scott – He Loves Me
44. Thee Sacred Souls – Will I See You Again?
45. Chaka Khan – Through the Fire