For Eve

Tony and Maria had purchased the apartment block with an eye to the future; a nice place to raise a family, and the rents they received from the other units would supplement their income. Eve had come along a few years later, blessing them with perpetual sunshine and happiness.

Money, however, had not been able to secure Eve’s health. She had been diagnosed at an early age and, regardless of the money they invested in making her better, they lost their sunshine just a few short years later. Darkness had enveloped their marriage. Maria departed and Tony grieved.

---

The climb to the third floor landing had been difficult. As he walked, ghosts of the past cried out to him; a squeal of joy reverberated off the walls

(daddy where are you...)

and the aroma of his daughter’s favourite meal wafted to his nostrils

(try some of this daddy it’s yummy-yummy for my tummy)

and made him think of Eve and the good times they had shared in this apartment block.

He opened the door slowly, allowing the mustiness seep out before he himself stepped inside. He wandered the unit; fingers touching photos of her on the wall, eyes examining for the umpteenth time the hand-drawn pictures on the refrigerator

(for my daddy. Love E.)

and finally stepping into her bedroom, which had not changed over the years. It was more than a shrine to his daughter – it was his connection to his past.

Tony tidied, dusted, vacuumed and made the apartment feel lived in again – he wanted her to be happy.

Afterwards, he left, closing the door on

Apartment
4
E.