Raymond eased his car down the driveway and parked it under the carport.

It had
been an emotionally draining day and the long, quiet drive back home left him feeling
exhausted.
Stepping out of the car, he attempted to quietly open the rear drivers side door
without waking up his five year old daughter, Sally.
Propped up in the booster seat, she was sleeping peacefully and Raymond hoped he
could carry her into the house without waking her. It wasnt to be though; her eyes
flickered open the moment he fidgeted with her seat belt.
Raymond smiled at her. Hello, sleepy head.
Sally yawned and stretched her legs as Raymond slipped his arms under her and
carried her up the driveway.
Whats for dinner Daddy? she asked as he fumbled with his keys at the door.
He had no appetite for food and hadnt put any thought into what theyd eat. Five
minute noodles would suffice.
How about chicken noodles? he suggested as he lowered her down on the couch.
How about nuggets? Sally countered.
Nuggets would take longer to heat up in the oven. All Raymond wanted to do was
unwind on the couch in front of the TV, then go to bed. Though he felt fatigued, he
had a hard time saying no to his daughter.
Alright, let me see if we have any in the freezer first.
Raymond switched on the TV for Sally; then turned on the heater to warm up the
room. He busied himself in the kitchen while Sally watched cartoons in the lounge
room. Within half an hour they were both seated on the couch with a bowl of baked
chicken nuggets watching a Tinkerbell movie together.
He felt better with something in his stomach. Taking the bowls back to the kitchen, he
washed them up then headed to Sallys room to fetch her pyjamas. While in her room,
Raymond turned on Sallys electric blanket to warm her bed. Returning to the lounge
room, he saw Sally had climbed under a throw over pretending to hide from him.
Oh dear, he said in mock wonder. Where is Sally? Hmm is she under the table?
Sally giggled.
Whats that noise? Raymond said as he made his way to the lounge. He grabbed her
gently and gave her a tickle. Sally laughed hysterically as she squirmed away from
him.
Stop Daddy! Stop! Sally screamed with laughter.

Alright munchkin, time to get into your PJs.

But what about my bath? Sally asked with a look of concern on her face.
How about a quick shower instead? Raymond countered.
Alright, Sally replied but only if I can bring Lala.
Lala was a plush butterfly toy that Sally took with her everywhere.
Lala cant get her wings wet Sally, Raymond said as he ushered her toward the
bathroom.
While Sally got undressed, Raymond ran the water. As she showered, Raymond
thought back on the events of the day. Today, hed laid his fathers body to rest at the
city cemetery. Only a handful of people attended the small ceremony; his aunty Kaye,
his sister and her family and two of his fathers friends from the hospice.
After her shower, Raymond helped Sally into her pyjamas. Afterwards, Sally rushed
off to grab a storybook, while Raymond turned off the light and television in the
lounge room. He returned to her bedroom and sat beside Sally, who sat cross legged
against the headboard of the bed.
Which story are we going to read tonight? Raymond asked her.
The Little Hen, Sally answered with a broad grin on her face. Raymond read her the
story, which they both knew off by heart.
Under the covers now, Raymond said as he got up to turn off the light. Sallys night
light was the only source of light in the darkened room.
Daddy, Sally said as she snuggled up to Lala under her bed sheets. Why did you fart
in heaven?
Raymond chuckled. What are you on about?
Today the Priest said Our father who farts in heaven.
Oh, said Raymond you mean Our father who art in heaven. It means our father who
is in heaven, he was talking about God. They sometimes call God our father.
Sally seemed confused. But you said Grandad is in heaven now? Is Grandad God?
No silly, Grandad is in heaven with God and all the angels. Hes probably up there
doing some gardening right now.
Then it dawned on Raymond that Sally had only ever known her Grandad as a sick
man whom they visited at the hospice. Hed been sick for the past three years.

He loved gardening before he got sick. Raymond explained.

What else did he love? Sally asked.
Raymond thought for a moment. Growing up, his father rarely displayed a lot of
affection. For most of his life, hed worked for a small company that did home
insulation - they installed roof batts. The job had ultimately killed him, as his lungs
were full of asbestos from the old buildings hed worked in. He certainly didnt love
that job, in fact, as far back as Raymond could remember he hated it. He donned the
overalls and climbed into tight spaces on hot days to lay down thick sheets of itchy,
insulation.
Why? Because he loved his family and the job provided an income to support them.
Growing up, Raymond never fully appreciated what his Dad did for him and the
sacrifices he made. It wasnt until he had his own family that he understood.
He loved his family, he told his daughter with a smile.
Will you go to heaven some day Daddy?
Not for a very long time.
A very, very long time? Sally asked.
Yes, Raymond said softly. Death had turned his life upside down in recent years. All
he really knew was that nothing in life was certain.
Good, cause Id miss you if you went to heaven. You said Mummy would watch
over me when she went to heaven but I havent seen her once. Do you think Grandad
will visit me?
Raymond shrugged his shoulders. We can only hope so Sally.
Sallys eyes began to water. Whod look after me if you were gone?
Raymond gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. Im not going anywhere. Now lets
change the subject.
They spoke of happier things for a few more minutes until Raymond noticed the look
in Sallys eyes where she was ready for sleep. He flicked off her night light and
quietly stepped out of the room.
Raymond was bone tired and wanted nothing more than to sit down and relax. That
must come later, he thought. He still had to get her school clothes ready and iron his
uniform for work. He withdrew their clothes from the dryer and ironed them, then
began preparing their lunches.
Raymond switched on the gas stove top and fried a piece of chicken in a small round
sauce pan. Once it was cooked, he slid the meat onto a chopping board and sliced it

into thin pieces for his sandwich. It was slightly under cooked, so he turned the gas on
again. Raymond had intended to fry it again but changed his mind and popped it in
the microwave instead.
In his tired state, Raymond forgot to turn off the gas.
Meanwhile, he let the chicken cool on the bench top before placing in a tupperware
container and popping into the fridge. Hed finish make their sandwiches in the
morning.
Raymond caught the time on the microwave display it was after 10pm. He was too
tired to stay up any later and walked from room to room, flicking off the light
switches. He brushed his teeth, set his alarm clock and climbed into bed.
Raymond fell asleep the minute his head hit the pillow.
Voices. He could hear voices. Raymond looked up from his pillow. The weight of
sleep seemed to have him pinned to the bed. He was warm and comfortable and
longed to return to the dreamland from whence he came. The red digital display on his
bedside clock said it was 1:14am. His heart beat faster as he tried to concentrate. He
could hear voices they were coming from Sallys room down the hallway.
He forced himself out of bed. By his bedside table he kept a heavy metal police torch.
He turned it on and quickly made his way down the hallway.
Sally? he called out. Are you alright?
The voices stopped. He opened her door and turned on the light.
Sally was sitting up in her bed, wide awake. She smiled at him as he entered her
room.
Sorry for waking you Daddy, we were trying to be quiet.
We? Raymond asked as he looked around the empty room. He opened her cupboard
door, expecting to find someone in there. No one was there.
It was Grandad. He came to check on me. Sally said, still smiling. Its alright
Daddy, hes gone now.
Raymond sat down on Sallys bed. His heart was racing now. What did you talk
about?
Sally looked him in the eye. He said I had to look after you.
The faint smell of gas suddenly hit Raymonds nose.
He also said you left the gas on.