Chapter 6 - What Remains
The sound of the front gates closing outside drifted faintly through the thick glass windows.
Julian stood in the center of the vast, quiet room.
He slowly lowered himself down onto one knee, the wool of his suit pants resting on the cold marble floor.
He set Lily down gently on her feet, but kept both of his hands firmly on her waist.
Lily’s little red sneakers stood two inches away from the silver dog bowl.
She looked down at the kibble, then up at her father's eyes.
Her thumb drifted up toward her mouth, but she stopped herself, her small hand dropping back to her side.
"Daddy?" Lily asked softly.
"Yes, baby?"
"Will she come back when it gets dark?"
Julian reached down with one finger and moved a stray blonde curl away from her eye.
His hand was completely steady now.
"Never," Julian said.
Lily looked over at the broken glass near the counter, then back at her father's dark tie.
"The dog food looks like dirty pebbles," she murmured, her child-logic settling back over the horror.
"Can we make pancakes instead?"
Julian stood up, taking her tiny hand in his.
"We can make whatever you want," he said softly.
May you like
With his shoe, Julian tapped the silver bowl, sending it sliding five feet across the floor until it rested under the dark shadow of the cabinets.
They walked out of the kitchen together, the heavy door swinging shut behind them with a soft, final click.
