know who has been living with you but I can
guarantee it wasn't my father."
Eleanor Anderson seemed hesitant for a
moment, but continued anyway, apologetically:
"I'm sorry for intruding with this kind of news
out of the blue. But I have a reason to believe
our Jacob's real family name was Sanders.
Although with us, he used the name Webb.
Maybe it would have been better if I'd come to
you in person but we are very understaffed and
our patients need our full attention-"
"What is this? A cruel joke? My father is
dead!" Carla interrupted, raising her voice.
"What are you after? Money? What?!! This is
outrageous!"
"I simply wanted to offer my
condolences and let you know where to collect
Jacob's belongings. Your contact information
was the only contact information we found. We
are here in Waleford, on the west side. He only
left behind small things but they may be of
sentimental value. There is a pocket watch that
doesn't work, some clothes, and a pile of used
books bought form Morris Bookstore."
"Of course!" Carla screamed, delighted.
"That's why! I often give my personal number to
elderly people. I sometimes bring them books
after our closing hours. This is just a big
misunderstanding. Thank God we go this
cleared up. I was beginning to lose my mind.
But this explains it all."
There was an uncomfortable pause at
the other end. "Not quite, Miss Sanders. There
is more. Our Jacob indeed had extensive burns
around his body. He never mentioned how he
got them. The note we found between one of
his books reads this phone number and a
handwritten line that says "Carla Amelia."
Carla could only hear her own heartbeat,
pounding hysterically in her head. Carla Amelia.
No one knew that name. It was a secret name
given to her by her father. He had wanted to
name their firstborn Amelia but her mother
didn't like the name and it was never officially
given to her. Amelia was also her grandmother's
na me. The name appeared in no official
documents. Carla had never used it or revealed
it, not to a single soul. It was sacred to her, a
secret she and her father had...
As the truth dawned on her, blood escaped
from her hands. She felt dizzy. And so very
cold. No. It couldn't be. During the last few
months his condition started to deteriorate. He
passed away eight days ago. Carla raised her
hand over her mouth. The calls. They started
few months ago. When was the last time she
got a call? Over a week ago? He tried to call
me! Daddy... daddy tried to call me. We are
here in Waleford, on the west side. Daddy was
here? In Waleford? No. No. This can't... this
can't be... All this time... It was... It was him...
He was... I didn't... He... I...
Carla squeezed the remaining rose in her
twitching pain-stricken hand until blood
streamed onto her skirt. This time she didn't
care. She wanted to hurt. She wanted to hurt
like never before. She wanted all of her blood
to run out. "Run, run, I'm right behind you!"
Carla fell down on her knees and wept like she
was six years old again. Oh daddy... THE END.
(C) 2016. Kimmo Matias.