Paradise and Hell

Freddie went home to tell his wife and other two daughters, how, he still didn’t know. What would he say, there’s nothing he can say or do to make it better. Their baby, their little girl was gone.

Lucky’s cell phone rang, on the other end it was Hal. “She’s gone.” Lucky congratulated him on a job well done. “You’ll getting something extra in your sock next Christmas,” he said with a small chuckle following. Hal hesitated, he knew it would surface sooner or later, he knew he had to say something. “Ah sir, she is dead, but it wasn’t my guy, he hadn’t made it there yet. No evidence was left behind, no trace of even a struggle. The gossip around town is like a phantom or something. The cops have nothing, not a stitch of anything.” Lucky felt a presence beside him, there was the companion smiling. For the first time Lucky knew it spoke directly and vocally to him. “It’s done my son,” it spoke in a raspy, an ancient voice.” Then and there Lucky knew he had a friend for life. The companion was the only one he put one hundred percent faith into. He told Hal he would be home in a few days, and to pay his man even though he didn’t do it. God business practice, he may need him for another job some time.
Lucky hung up from Hal and his phone rang again. It was Freddie, he wanted to tell Lucky before anyone else did. “Lucky, my Lucy is dead, someone murdered my baby girl.” He held back the laughter and went along with an act of shock, of disbelief. “Oh, Freddie, I’m so sorry, I wish I had brought her with me. She would be safe. I hope you can forgive me.” Freddie told him it wasn’t his fault; they would catch whoever did this. Lucky strung him along like a cat playing with a mouse. After they exchanged goodbyes Lucky told him he’d be home as soon as possible. They ended their call and Lucky turned to the mirror and smiled. He threw the phone on the bed and jumped on himself. “I’m free again, I’m free again.” She brought this upon herself, trying to trick me like she had, the fault lies on her. Like always his denial would always overtake his guilt.
To go along with his guiltless conscience he knew he had a rock solid alibi here in the city. Everyone in town would no doubt try to point the finger at him, but he himself is covered and his two workers Hal and Cal were busy with the workers on the ranch, so they’re safe. Let them talk; there’s nothing they can do about it.
As he lay in bed, already prepared to check out the next morning he thought about his friend, the companion. How lucky he’s been to have such a loyal and trusted partner. Tomorrow was going to be a good day, tomorrow was the start of a new chapter, and a new level of freedom had dawned on him. He was free from her troubles and free to hold more faith in this timeless companion.