Dad's Birthday

The alarm on my phone blared through the stillness, jarring me awake. I groaned, reaching over to silence it, but my hand froze as I noticed the reminder flashing on the screen: Dad’s Birthday

A familiar heaviness settled in my chest as I stared at the date. It wasn’t just any day—it was the day that always brought with it a storm of emotions. My father’s birthday. The man who had been my rock, my protector, and whose absence had left a void no one could ever fill.

Beside me, Gray stirred, his arm draped over my waist. Today was supposed to be our day off, a rare chance to unwind, but I couldn’t shake the shadow that hung over this day. I carefully slid out of bed, trying not to wake him, and headed to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face, hoping to clear the fog of memories that threatened to overwhelm me.

As I dried my face, I caught my reflection in the mirror—eyes slightly puffy from lack of sleep, and a sadness that I couldn’t quite hide. Today wasn’t just about remembering my father’s life; it was also about reliving the pain of his loss and the unanswered questions that lingered like a dark cloud.

I walked back into the bedroom, where He was now sitting up, rubbing his eyes. He looked at me with a sleepy smile, but it quickly faded when he saw the expression on my face.

“Eli, what’s wrong?” he asked softly, concern lacing his voice.

I forced a small smile, shaking my head. “It’s nothing… just thinking about my dad. Today’s his birthday.”

Grays’s eyes softened, and he reached out, pulling me into his arms. “I’m here,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”

We sat like that for a while, the silence between us filled with unspoken words. I knew Gray wanted to help, to take away the pain, but this was a wound that time hadn’t healed—a mystery that had never been solved. My father had been taken from me too soon, and the circumstances surrounding his death still haunted me.

“It’s our day off,” Gray finally said, his voice gentle. “How about we spend it however you want? We could visit his grave, maybe?”

I nodded, appreciating his thoughtfulness. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

The day stretched ahead, heavy with memories. Grayson and I got ready, and as we drove to the cemetery, the weight of the past pressed down on me. Visiting my father’s grave was always bittersweet—there was comfort in being close to him, but it also brought back the pain of losing him all over again.

As we arrived, I felt the familiar pang of grief. We walked together to his resting place, the sound of our footsteps muted by the soft grass beneath us. I knelt down, tracing the engraved letters of his name with trembling fingers.

“Happy birthday, Dad,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. He stood behind me, his presence a steadying force as I let myself be consumed by the memories—of the man who had meant everything to me, and the mystery that still surrounded his death.

I couldn’t help but wonder, as I always did, if there was more to the story. If the truth would ever come to light. But for now, all I could do was hold on to the love I still had for him, and the hope that, wherever he was, he was at peace.

Gray’s hand rested gently on my shoulder as we sat quietly by my father’s grave. I stared at the headstone, lost in thought, and the weight of the moment felt almost unbearable.

After a while, He spoke softly, breaking the silence. “Eli, what really happened to your dad?”

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “It’s… it’s hard to explain. There was always something off about what they told us. My dad was a solid, reliable man, and then one day, he just disappeared. They said it was an accident during a business deal, but I always felt there was more to it. The official story was that he died, but the details never made sense.”

Gray listened intently, his expression serious. “So they ruled him dead without much explanation?”

“Exactly,” I said, nodding. “They said he was dead, but the circumstances were always vague. There were rumors and whispers about shady business dealings and something more sinister, but nothing concrete ever came to light. I’ve spent years trying to piece it together, but I never got any real answers.”

Gray’s gaze softened, and he moved closer, wrapping an arm around me. “That sounds incredibly tough. Not having closure must be so hard.”

“It is,” I admitted, my voice cracking slightly. “Every year on his birthday, it hits me all over again. It feels like there’s this huge, unanswered question hanging over me.”

Gray squeezed my shoulder gently. “You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you. If there’s anything I can do to help you find some answers, I want to.”

I leaned into him, finding comfort in his presence. “Thank you, Gray. It means a lot just to have you here.”

“I got you, babe,”

We stayed like that for a while, the world around us fading as I let myself lean on him. The pain of my father’s death was still there, but with Grayson by my side, I felt a bit more equipped to handle the weight of the past and face whatever might come next.

As we sat together, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over the cemetery. The evening air was calm, and the gentle rustle of leaves provided a soothing backdrop to our conversation.

Gray eventually stood up and helped me to my feet. “How about we head back? It’s getting late, and we should grab some dinner. I know it’s been a tough day.”

I nodded, grateful for his support. “Yes, that sounds good.

He leaned back in his seat, a faint smile on his lips. “So, have you heard about that new café that just opened downtown? I hear they have the best pastries in the city.”

I looked up, intrigued. “Really? I haven’t heard about it. Do you think it’s worth checking out?”

“Definitely,” Grayson said. “I was thinking we could go this weekend. I read that they have a whole menu dedicated to different types of croissants. You know how much I love trying out new places.”

“That sounds perfect,” I replied, feeling a bit of excitement at the prospect of a new adventure. “It’ll be nice to do something different.”Got it! Here’s the revised continuation of the chapter:

As we settled into a cozy corner of the café, the clinking of cups and the low hum of conversation surrounded us. I tried to shake off the lingering heaviness from earlier, focusing on the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. He was across from me, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

“So,” he began, stirring his coffee absentmindedly, “how’s work been treating you? Do you still enjoy being a nurse? It must be a lot to handle.”

I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. “It’s been… overwhelming at times, but rewarding too. It’s a lot of responsibility, and some days are tougher than others. But I think I’m making a difference. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the right path for me, but then I remember why I started.”

Gray nodded, encouraging me to continue. “And what was it that made you choose this path? Is it something personal?”

I hesitated, the weight of my father’s memory pressing on me. “Yes, it’s personal. It was Dad… he was always so supportive of me, I guess I wanted to honor him by doing something meaningful. Helping people, you know?”

Gray’s eyes softened, and he reached across the table to gently squeeze my hand. “I know it’s hard, but it sounds like you’re doing exactly what he would have been proud of. It’s okay to have moments of doubt, but your dedication speaks volumes.”

I tried to smile, feeling a mix of gratitude and sadness. “Thank you, Gray. It means a lot to hear that. Sometimes, the memories just hit harder on days like today.”

He looked thoughtful for a moment before changing the subject gently. “What were some of your favorite moments with your dad? It might help to remember the good times.”

I smiled faintly, the memory bringing a bittersweet warmth. “He used to take me on weekend trips when I was a kid. We’d explore new places, just the two of us. Those trips were always so special. I cherish those moments more than ever now.”

Gray listened intently, his presence a steady source of comfort. “It sounds like you had some wonderful times together. It’s important to hold on to those memories, even when things get tough.”

As the conversation drifted to lighter topics, I found solace in Gray’s genuine interest and understanding. The sadness was still there, but sharing my thoughts with him made it a little easier to carry.

We finished our coffee and decided to take a walk around the nearby park, the soft evening light casting a serene glow. It wasn’t a perfect day, but with Gray by my side, it felt a little more manageable.