a millionaire returning home after a six month business trip heads straight to his ex wife’s place
to see his daughter but parched from his journey he stops at a supermarket for a drink
he freezes in his tracks when he sees the little girl begging outside the shopping centre is his own daughter
and when she reveals the reason why the colour drains from his face a biting November chill crept through the red
brick canyons of Queens carrying that damp signature New York bite on the late afternoon air
a torrent of people rushed along the sidewalk collars pulled high and heads ducked against the first
cruel kiss of winter amidst this grey hurried landscape Elias Thorne’s gleaming
black Porsche Panamera glided silently standing out like a panther among sheep
inside the car the warm sanctuary smelled of new leather and the smooth notes of a jazz trio
created a world entirely separate from the chaos outside Elias tapped his fingers on the steering wheel
glancing at the passenger seat there a giant life size teddy bear sat enthroned
its plump belly resting on two boxes of Belgian chocolates tied with extravagant red bows
almost there big guy Elias said to the bear his voice brimming with an excitement he couldn’t hide
when Lily sees you she’s going to flip six months way too long wasn’t it
he adjusted his silk tie in the rear view mirror his Italian suit was immaculate
his hair perfectly coiffed Elias was the very picture of success freshly returned from Europe
with million dollar contracts in his briefcase he believed his generous financial support
over the past year had ensured his daughter was living the life of a princess
the car slowed pulling smoothly to the curb in front of a Fresh Market grocery store
Elias just needed a bottle of mineral water before driving the final stretch to the luxury apartment
to surprise his daughter he stepped out of the car and the cold wind slapped his face
but it couldn’t wipe the smile from his lips he whistled a tune as he strode toward the automatic glass doors
suddenly he stopped short ahead the stream of shoppers entering and leaving the store seemed to part
steering clear of a corner of the wall near a trash can as if it were cursed curious Elias followed their gaze
a tiny shadow was huddled on the frigid concrete at first he intended to ignore it like everyone else
but a familiar splash of pink snagged his attention the sweater though it was now grimy
faded to a dull gray and worn through at the elbows that unique cable knit pattern
Elias remembered it vividly he’d made a special call to Milan to have it custom made for Lily’s birthday
last year his heart skipped a beat a vague gnawing unease coiled in his stomach
he moved closer ignoring the sour acrid smell that assaulted his nostrils
hey kid Elias began his voice hesitant trying to see the face hidden by a curtain of matted hair
are you okay the child didn’t look up she just thrust a tattered cardboard box forward
her thin shoulders trembling violently beneath the threadbare sweater just a penny please
the voice that emerged was raspy and small like the mewing of an abandoned kitten
I’ll be good I won’t be any trouble Elias froze his entire body went rigid
that voice though it was weak though it was warped by the cold he knew it
he dropped to his knees on the grime slicked pavement his hand reaching out trembling
Lily the box in the child’s hands shook uncontrollably the few coins inside clinking together
slowly she lifted her head the moment those big blue eyes met his Elias felt as if a vice had clamped around his chest
squeezing the air from his lungs it was Lily but not the rosy cheeked bright eyed girl from the photos his ex wife sent
before him was a skeletal child her face smeared with dirt dad the word was a choked whisper
his throat thick with bitterness it’s me honey it’s Daddy Elias
instead of bursting into tears or throwing herself into his arms Lily’s eyes widened as she stared at his expensive suit
then down at his polished leather shoes she shrank back pressing herself against the cold brick wall
clutching the box of coins to her chest like a sacred treasure who who are you
Lily stammered her voice cracking with panic I I don’t have enough yet
please don’t take my money Elias was stunned Lily what are you talking about
it’s me dad I’m home look at me sweetheart he lunged forward trying to take her small icy hand
but Lily’s reaction was horrifying she shrieked thrashing and recoiling as if he were about to strike her
no don’t take it mom said I need $10 I don’t have enough don’t take me she screamed and cried
her tears carving clean streaks through the filth on her cheeks please Mister I promise I’ll sit still I won’t ask for much
just don’t take my money mom will punish me oh my God Lily Elias roared
his patience shattering under the weight of his agony he couldn’t listen to another word of her pleading
he grabbed her by the shoulders feeling the sharp edges of her ribs through the thin fabric nobody is taking your money
you’re coming with me right now he scooped her up into his arms
she was terrifyingly light ah my money my money Lily shrieked
struggling violently the cardboard box slipped from her grasp hitting the ground with a soft thud
the coins the meager reward for a day spent shivering in the cold scattered across the sidewalk
Lily reached for them from over his shoulder her small hands grasping at empty air
it fell it’s all gone Mommy she’s going to lock me in the closet
my money to hell with the money Elias growled tightening his grip so she wouldn’t fall
he turned and strode quickly back to his car leaving a crowd of murmuring onlookers behind
Lily sobbed pounding on his back with tiny feeble fists you’re a bad man give me back my money
it’s so dark I’m scared of the closet Mommy
Elias bit his lip so hard he tasted blood fighting back his own tears
he shoved Lily into the passenger seat ruthlessly sweeping the giant teddy bear and the fancy chocolates onto the floor
the Porsche’s tires screamed as Elias slammed on the brakes in front of the corner grill
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