Chapter One
Karoline
The smell of finger paint and glue clung to my clothes as I trudged up the walkway to my front door.My shoulders ached from breaking up three separate squabbles over the blue crayon, and my voice had gone hoarse from readingThe Very Hungry Caterpillarwith all the dramatic inflections my preschoolers demanded.All I wanted was a hot shower, a glass of wine, and maybe an hour of mindless television before I passed out.That’s when I spotted an unfamiliar sedan parked in my driveway.
I never got visitors, especially at this time of day.Unease filled me.I started wondering about when I’d last heard from my parents, my grandma, and even my brother.But it didn’t look like a police vehicle.Wouldn’t someone like that come tell me if something happened to my parents or my grandma?That only left…
I fumbled with my keys, nearly dropping them.As I approached my front porch, I saw the silhouette of two people off to the side.One was a younger man who stood slightly behind the other one.The older one removed his hat and stepped closer.Military.My stomach dropped.No.There was no reason for them to be here unless something had happened to Kris.My brother wasn’t always able to keep in contact, so it wasn’t unusual for me to not hear from him for weeks or even months.I’d learned not to worry when there were gaps in either receiving a phone call or letter.Now I felt foolish.
“No,” I said softly, shaking my head.
“I’m sorry, Miss Kringle.I’m here to inform you that your brother, Kris Kringle, died during a mission.”
“No,” I said again, willing his words to be a horrible joke.Not Kris.My purse tumbled from my grasp, the contents spilling across the porch.The man pulled out an envelope.
“He left this for you.”
My hand shook as I took it from him.I opened the envelope and tears filled my eyes.
If you’re reading this, then something went horribly wrong and I’m not able to come home.I’m sorry, Karoline.There’s so much I wasn’t able to tell you, and some of it will be hard to understand.I have a daughter.Athena.She’s only three years old, and she needs you right now.Not Mom or Dad, but you.
Someone will reach out to you soon about being her guardian.I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to watch over my daughter, shower her with love, and help her remember her dumbass dad who did something stupid and ended up dead.
I love you, Karoline.Now and always.
Your big brother,
Kris
“How did it happen?”I asked.
“That’s classified information, ma’am.But your brother is a hero, and he died for his country.”
Empty words that meant nothing to me right now.I clutched the letter in my hand.“Did you tell my parents?”
“Not yet.That’s where I’m going next.Your brother had things in place in case this happened.You were to be the first point of contact.”
I nodded.As much as I love my parents, I understood.Kris and I had always been close.Closer than either of us were to our parents.Which seemed odd considering how much older he was than me.Of course, now that they were older, they’d moved into a senior community.Mom had Alzheimer’s and Dad’s health wasn’t so great either.The last few times I’d been to visit, Mom hadn’t recognized me, and Dad had suggested Kris and I stay away.It stressed Mom out, and she was his priority.
“Did you know about his daughter?”I asked.
“No, ma’am.I didn’t personally meet him.But I’ve heard about him, and I volunteered for this job.If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”He handed me a business card.“Again, my condolences for your loss.”
I nodded, my throat tight as tears slipped down my cheeks.They saluted and walked off, getting back into their vehicle.I gathered my things with shaky hands and went into my house.Then I crumpled to the floor and sobbed until I didn’t think I had any tears left.
“Why, Kris?Why did you leave me?”I asked, looking up at the ceiling, as if he could somehow answer from wherever we went when we died.
* * *
The tea in my mug had gone cold, a thin skin forming on the surface like a barrier between me and whatever comfort it might have offered.I stared at it, unable to bring myself to take a sip or push it away.Another military person sat across from me with a folder in her hands.She slid it over to me, and I flipped it open.
“As I mentioned, I’ve known Kris for a lot of years.He was one of my best friends, and that’s why he entrusted me with this,” she said.
“Tell me everything you know about her,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Inside the folder, I saw a picture of a toddler.She looked like a very small version of me.How had Kris managed to keep a daughter from his family all this time?And why?Was he ashamed or something?As far as I knew, he hadn’t been dating anyone.Had it been a one-night stand gone wrong?
“Athena is three years old, born April fifteenth.She lived with her dad when he was stateside, but when he deployed, she stayed with a woman named Melissa Harper -- apparently a friend of the child’s mother.”
