Here's an excerpt for The Purse by Julie A. Burns. Available on Amazon for 2.99.
“Is that you, Lydia?” the weakened voice called out.
“Yes, father, it’s me,” Lydia answered softly, walking to his bedside.
His gaunt appearance shocked her. He was so thin, she barely recognized him. This was not the strong, virile, handsome man she remembered. William Blackwell in his youth had been quite dashing—tall, with thick black hair and a muscular physique. He had bright blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled. Now, the chemo had made him lose all his hair and his cheekbones had sunken in. Hardly the same man.
He quietly motioned for Lydia to sit beside him on the bed. She did as instructed, then gently kissed his forehead and took his hand.
“My darling Lydia, the sweetest girl ever born. So many regrets, my girl. Most of all, I wish I had been a better father to you. You deserved better,” he whispered.
Lydia shushed him. “Father, you did the best you could. I know that and I love you for it,” she reassured him. William Blackwell shook his head at his daughter and in a hoarse voice continued. “No, no, darling. I must say all I have to say. I realize now that the choices I’ve made for you probably weren’t the best ones. I see your life as it is now, and I want you to make me a promise.”
With tears in her eyes, Lydia nodded and solemnly whispered, “Anything, father. Anything.”
“My angel, I know what you’ve been through, and I know the kind of life you must lead. I love you with all of my heart, and the only thing that matters is your happiness. Promise me...never, never be ashamed of who you are or even...” William Blackwell paused to take his oxygen tube off, then looked Lydia deep in her eyes. “Or even who it is that you love. Trust me, child, I know.”
Taken aback by her father’s words, Lydia briefly wondered if he did know. After the many years of being secretive about her life and who she was...could he have possibly known all along? Lydia searched for words, but there were none.
“Lydia,” he began, but was interrupted by a violent fit of coughing. Lydia placed his oxygen tube back on her father’s face and gave him a few sips of water before he continued. “Lydia, there are so many things I should say...about your mother.” His breathing suddenly became erratic, puffing out in short bursts. “Your mother...she’s alive.”
In one instant, William’s breathing stopped and his hand slipped from Lydia’s grasp. His eyes closed and there was nothing but silence in the room. William Blackwell was gone.
“Is that you, Lydia?” the weakened voice called out.
“Yes, father, it’s me,” Lydia answered softly, walking to his bedside.
His gaunt appearance shocked her. He was so thin, she barely recognized him. This was not the strong, virile, handsome man she remembered. William Blackwell in his youth had been quite dashing—tall, with thick black hair and a muscular physique. He had bright blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled. Now, the chemo had made him lose all his hair and his cheekbones had sunken in. Hardly the same man.
He quietly motioned for Lydia to sit beside him on the bed. She did as instructed, then gently kissed his forehead and took his hand.
“My darling Lydia, the sweetest girl ever born. So many regrets, my girl. Most of all, I wish I had been a better father to you. You deserved better,” he whispered.
Lydia shushed him. “Father, you did the best you could. I know that and I love you for it,” she reassured him.
William Blackwell shook his head at his daughter and in a hoarse voice continued. “No, no, darling. I must say all I have to say. I realize now that the choices I’ve made for you probably weren’t the best ones. I see your life as it is now, and I want you to make me a promise.”
With tears in her eyes, Lydia nodded and solemnly whispered, “Anything, father. Anything.”
“My angel, I know what you’ve been through, and I know the kind of life you must lead. I love you with all of my heart, and the only thing that matters is your happiness. Promise me...never, never be ashamed of who you are or even...” William Blackwell paused to take his oxygen tube off, then looked Lydia deep in her eyes. “Or even who it is that you love. Trust me, child, I know.”
Taken aback by her father’s words, Lydia briefly wondered if he did know. After the many years of being secretive about her life and who she was...could he have possibly known all along? Lydia searched for words, but there were none.
“Lydia,” he began, but was interrupted by a violent fit of coughing. Lydia placed his oxygen tube back on her father’s face and gave him a few sips of water before he continued. “Lydia, there are so many things I should say...about your mother.” His breathing suddenly became erratic, puffing out in short bursts. “Your mother...she’s alive.”
In one instant, William’s breathing stopped and his hand slipped from Lydia’s grasp. His eyes closed and there was nothing but silence in the room. William Blackwell was gone.