Tapping the Barrel of a Steel Blue .38

Fog surrounded her, pulling her deeper into the darkness. But someone was coming. Someone as in the den. Her name fell from his lips. So familiar. A thud landed before her, his smell washing over her. That was all she needed. Eyes would flutter open, blurred vision focusing on none other than her father. Despite her pathetic state, eyes would widen in surprise. He had crumpled just inches from her. Had she not been on her death bed, she would have trembled with rage, shouted curses at him and damned him to the deepest pits of hell. He had abandoned her. She knew he had resented her. She was the only one who looked so much like her mother and she guessed that had contributed to his resentment. She should have been angry. How dare he show up after so much time had passed. He had plenty of chances to be a father but he failed.

But instead, her lips would lift in a weak smile. "Daddy." His name left her lips on a breath. There was so much she longed for. Her boys, she wanted to see them. She wanted to feel her fathers love one last time. Her gaze remained fixated on him, eyes brightening only fractionally. "I love you." Words came out in a mumble, a shiver rattle her frame. She was cold. Darkness crept in on her vision, her breaths coming in slow gasps. No. She wasn't ready yet. Her boys weren't here. She would fight, desperately, to keep her eyes open and focus on her father. She held on the last remaining threads of consciousness. "My boys..." Concern etched into her weary features, along with traces of panic. Death was knocking at her door, demanding to be let in. Her heart would skip a beat, stuttering even as she fought.

"Speech"