Family Life

By Daniel Piller

The Walker family has grown. Multiple flash backs bring us up to date on the many changes. Cassie starts in her dream job but then learns disturbing news about a student. John gets good information about his future. The children have grown and are beginning to spread their wings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669876458

Daniel Piller

I have been writing for over twenty years and have found a healing sense in putting my thoughts on paper. I started with poetry and slowly graduated to writing stories. I love writing and letting the Holy Spirit flow. I have been in a wheelchair for a while now and I see it as a blessing. I may not be able to walk but I’m happy I’m a child of God now. I play on our local wheelchair rugby team and love playing it. I have been all over the county and met so many great people.

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Family Life

Volume II

Daniel Piller

Copyright © 2023 by Daniel Piller.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 05/30/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

850523

Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Dedication

This book goes out to my mom. You have seen so much, but it doesn’t faze you. For your past has made you into a beautiful diamond. I am so lucky to call you Mom.

Chapter 1

Our story continues now six years from where we left off. We move into John’s house and turn into the living room. There are toys all over the floor. There are some Barbie dolls mixed with dinosaur toys. Things haven’t changed much, but a giant wooden figure on the wall says, Family. It hangs above the couch, and strings hang down from the branches. Hanging from them are boxes that have pictures in them.

We look at one; John and Cassie are with Jack, and Cassie is holding Jack. John is wearing his military fatigues, and they are all smiling.

Now we move to another photo where Cassie is lying on a bed. She is carefully cradling in her arms a baby girl named Faith.

Next to that one, Jack is standing next to John as they do their strong-man poses. They are just wearing blue jeans and they are smiling.

Now to another, there is a pink cake on the table. Faith has cake on her hands and mouth. Beside her, Jack is laughing. It looks like John will smear cake on Jack’s face.

In another, Cassie and Faith are going down a slide; Faith is on Cassie’s lap. Cassie is wearing her yellow dress and Faith is in a onesie. They are both smiling.

There’s another where Cassie is holding Faith in her arms. John sits beside them, Jack sits on John’s lap, and they all smile.

Another shows a brown birthday cake with Jack and his friends around the table. In the background, Cassie and John are making funny faces.

Now to another, this one is different. It is in the shape of a heart. There is one picture of a gravestone with Bill’s name on it. There are four lilies beside it. In the following picture, John, Cassie, and Jack are wearing housecoats, Cassie is holding Faith in her arms, and they are all smiling. Under the images in pencil, crayons say, We love you, Grandpa.

We now zoom out and turn our attention to the kitchen. Jack is sitting at the table while he is doing his homework. Faith is busy walking around the table legs. Faith is five years old and has shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She has on a yellow dress that Cassie made for her. When she walks by Jack, she tugs his foot.

My Boo, says Faith softly.

Faith walks into the kitchen and up behind Cassie.

Cassie feels Faith’s tiny hand on her leg, turns around, and smiles as she kneels and picks her up. She puts her on the countertop.

You want to help Mommy prepare supper? asks Cassie.

Yup. Faith smiles.

Cassie then begins to make the salad, and as she does, she can’t help but smile to see Jack doing his homework and Faith chewing on a carrot to her right. She thinks, Man, the time has gone by so fast. Jack grew up to be a good boy and doing well in school.

I’m done with my homework. Can I play with Jared at the park? asks Jack.

Sure, just make sure you’re home for supper, replies Cassie.

Thanks, Mommy, I will, says Jack.

Jack takes his books, rushes into his room, and puts them on his desk. He turns, rushes out, runs to the back door, and quickly puts his shoes on.

Love you, Mom, says Jack as he closes the back door.

Love you too, replies Cassie as she finishes making the salad.

Cassie turns around and kneels to check the oven. She looks at the casserole and smiles. She then looks at her watch.

An hour to go, says Cassie.

Cassie stands up and picks up Faith.

How about we read a book? asks Cassie.

Faith looks up at Cassie and smiles. Cassie walks into the living room while stepping over the toys. She then sits down on the old recliner with Faith sitting beside her.

Can we read the bunny book? asks Faith eagerly.

Cassie smiles and reaches over and pulls that book out of the bookcase. She opens the book before them and begins to read it aloud. She makes a different voice for every character but one. When they get to the little bunny, Faith speaks in her sweet voice.

Meanwhile, Jack meets Jared at the park where a few other kids from his school are. They begin to play tag as they play in the jungle gym.

Meanwhile, at the base, John finishes after a long day. He is helping train the new soldiers. He hasn’t left on a mission in a few years; he wants to stay close to home. He made a promise to Cassie two years ago.

We flash back to a late December night. The snow is coming down fast. John is cleaning up when he looks out and the snow is deep. The tire tracks leading to the garage are gone. He thinks, I wouldn’t want to drive in this. He locks the door and turns on the light between the garage and the house. He turns and walks toward the stairs; the place is quiet.

A few moments later, John is standing by his bedroom door. He smiles as he watches Cassie sleep. He turns and walks down the hall to Faith’s room. He quietly opens the door and slowly walks up to her crib. He stands there for a second and smiles at his little angel. He leans in and kisses her on the forehead. When his lips touch her skin, he can feel the heat. He immediately picks her up in his arms. Then he puts his right hand on her forehead. She is so hot to the touch. Just then, he turns and runs to Cassie and turns on the bedroom light.

Honey, wake up. There is something wrong with Faith! shouts John.

Cassie slowly opens her eyes, squinting because of the bright light.

Calm down, bring her over here, replies Cassie as she sits up.

Cassie sits on the edge of the bed, and John hands Faith to Cassie.

She doesn’t feel that bad, says Cassie as she holds her hand on Faith’s head.

John rushes to the bathroom, flicks the light on, and desperately searches for the thermometer. He opens the vanity and sees the thermometer; he grabs it and runs back into the bedroom. He hands the thermometer to Cassie, and she puts it in Faith’s mouth.

A few anxious moments pass, and Cassie looks at the thermometer. It says 105. Her heart drops when she sees the number.

We need to take her to the hospital. Grab Jack. I’ll meet you downstairs, says Cassie.

John runs downstairs, bursts into Jack’s room, and turns on the light.

Jack, I need you to wake up, panics John.

Jack opens his eyes, squinting at the bright light.

What’s wrong, Dad? asks Jack in a groggy voice.

Faith has a fever and we are going to the hospital, replies John as he quickly opens the dresser.

John pulls out a dinosaur T-shirt and tosses it to Jack.

Hurry up and get dressed. I’ll meet you by the front door. I’m going out to start the car, says John.

John rushes to the front door, slips on his old boots, grabs his winter jacket, and runs out. He runs through the snow, almost to his knees by now.

A few moments later, John pulls hard to open the garage door because of how much snow has fallen. He rushes around the car and opens the door. He sticks the key in and turns it, but nothing. Panic goes right through him when nothing happens. He can’t help but feel scared he might lose his baby girl.

Oh Lord, please help me start my car, prays John.

John tries again and the engine roars to life. He turns the heat up, gets out, and opens the garage door.

A few minutes later, Cassie stands at the front door with Jack and Faith in the house.

Is Faith going to be okay, Mommy? asks Jack while still trying to wake up.

Cassie stands there, looking outside and waiting to see the lights from the car.

Yeah, Jack, she’s going to be okay, replies Cassie as she looks at Faith, all bundled in her onesie.

But in Cassie’s head, she is panicking. Cassie sees the headlights, and a few moments later, John drives up.

Okay, Jack, go hop in the car. I will be right behind you, says Cassie.

Cassie closes the door behind her and locks it. She rushes to the car, not caring how cold