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Michelle died peacefully six months later, surpassing the doctor’s prediction of three months. Michelle was able to spend one more Christmas with Janet, one more birthday with John, and a retirement party for herself through DCF. John watched her decline, which was very painful for him. Michelle’s wish was for John to be strong for Janet and he did. It was a sunny morning when Michelle passed, and John was holding her hand as the morphine helped her with the suffering.
Michelle was buried next to her mother’s grave. The service was both beautiful and tragic. Janet gave the eulogy while John held her and encouraged her to keep going when she was holding back her tears. The priest talked about death and how she was in a better place, which John silently disagreed because the better place would have been with him and Janet.
After the burial, John stayed by the grave as Nancy took Janet home. Many of the guests gave John hugs and told him how sorry they were. Mike approached John, shook his hand, and told him that if he needed anything to call him no matter the time.
During the next few months, John picked up extra shifts and came home later than usual. Nancy looked after Janet during those longs shifts. John would come home, wish Janet goodnight, hear about her day, and go to bed. He quit the adult basketball league and missed many of Janet’s summer basketball games due to the extra hours he picked up. John would infrequently attend AA meetings and at times miss a few weeks of them. Mike called John’s phone several times after every meeting he missed, but John ignored them.
One night John was driving home. He stopped at the local store to pick up a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of Vodka. John could not be strong anymore. He was hurting and could not take the pain anymore. He kept his feelings to himself so he could be strong for Janet, but it was eating at him. He was skipping meals and he was beginning to look his age.
He arrived home and sat in the car, staring at the steering wheel. He then heard a voice that he had not heard in a long time.
“I told you I would be back,” the deep voice of the familiar demon entered his mind.
“You win,” John said defeated.
“That is right. I always win,” the demon said as he laughed the familiar eerie laugh.
John was about to open the bottle of Vodka when the car door opened. It was Janet looking at John. She went into car and held John’s hand.
“It is ok, Daddy. I am here,” she said as her eyes watered up.
John looked at her and he could not hold on anymore. Immediately he began crying. He put his head on Janet’s shoulder and she held her father. John cried in his daughter’s arm for the next hour as they both were silent. John then reassured Janet that he was ok and that he would meet her inside. As Janet went back into the house, John opened the bottle of Vodka.