Kimber Read Online Free Page A

Either way, my father had stolen the love and life out of her.
    On
that day, at that moment, I screamed and begged him not to go as he closed the
door behind him. A part of me died that day and I swore I would never be my
father’s daughter again. No matter how many times the pain of his absence cried
me to sleep, I know I hated him as much as I did because I had loved him even
more.
     “None
of us know what he looks like so I thought I would tell you.”
     “Should
I ask him to go?” Luke questions.
    I
turn back to Luke, shaking my head. “No.”
    I
walk up through the hallway lined with pictures of nature and flowers. The
viewing room is soft pink, the lights are dim and chairs are arranged in two
rows of five. The room is half full with older women in dark dresses and men in
business suits. Whether they are co-workers or ex clients, I will never care to
know.
     I
scan the room looking for my so-called father. I find him in the first row
third chair in.
     “Kimber,
you see him?”
     A
man turns at the sound of my name, looking over his shoulder. When he finds me,
he pushes up from his chair and walks down the aisle to me. Seeing my father
fills my mind with long ago memories. Every time my mother held me while I
cried myself to sleep was because of him. All the times my mother cried and
questioned herself, thinking I could not see it, was because of him. It’s all
there fresh in my mind.
    I
tense as he comes closer. His arms extend out to me. He can’t be serious if
he thinks I’ll hug him , I think to myself. Our time apart has not healed
the wounds he inflicted upon me.
     “Kimber,
sweetie!”
     I
step back out of his reach. My father does not look the same as he did the day
he left. Time has not been kind to him. His hair is deep brown and speckled
with gray. His face is worn and his bare ring finger tells me he most likely
regrets the fling with his secretary. I try to keep my voice low to not draw
attention.
     “Get
out.” I hiss through clenched teeth.
    “I’m
here to pay my respects to Marie. I’m also here for you. I can’t imagine how
hard this has been on you. I just can’t believe she’s gone.”
    Any
fool could see that my father’s attempt at being caring was lacking true
emotion. Only my mother and I knew this man. My father had no heart. Otherwise,
he would have picked up the phone every time I called him in my weak moments
when I longed to hear his voice.
    My
mother never did agree with the way I felt about him. She always encouraged me
to have a relationship with my father. Never, despite the bad things I would
say, did she ever put him down to me or in front of me. Maybe it would make her
smile now if I granted her wish and took comfort in my father’s arms. Maybe it
would but since my mother never forced me into submission, I can’t imagine she
would be too upset with me.
    “Now?
I can think of a million better times for you to have been there for me. Now is
too late. Too late for all of it, Ben .” I emphasize his name with
sarcasm. 
     “We
have a lot to talk about Kimber and time to do it in.”
    “I
don’t want your time. But there’s something you probably want, right? You think
you’d come here, play daddy and get while the gettin’ is good?”
    “What?”
    “Money!”
I take a step towards him. Luke mimics my movement.
    “No.
Of course not!” My father replies defensively.
    “I
think it’s time to go, Mr. Knowl.”
    Luke’s
interference aggravates my father. He stands ridged and arrogant.
    “Who
do you think you are, that you can tell me when to go?”
    “This
memorial was by invitation only for friends and family.” Luke retorts not the
least bit intimidated.
    “I’m
her father and Marie was my wife. Hell! I have more of a right to be here than
you do son.”
    Out
of the corner of my eye, I spot Tommy and Joel as they enter the room. They are
ready to help Luke escort my father out if needed. As much as I would like Luke
to knock my father’s