Roll of the Dice

Jaco Louw

921 Words

wolgod@yahoo.com
 Roll of the Dice

The dice fell with an instinctive movement towards Jade sitting at the edge of the table, where the
smile on her face was disappearing. Time stood still when the dice finally came to a halt; the
distinctive numbers, 2 and 5, settled in front of her. The pale blue of her eyes reflected the pitch
black dots laying centimeters from her face, the smile completely wiped off her face now. Lucky
number seven, she thought for a while, but the memories of her father recollected in the back of her
head.
This cant be, how could this happen, again and to me? He promised me this would never
happen. He promised! Jades voice has low, a whisper. The sorrow in her voice was apparent, but he
couldnt help, he just rolled the dice like he did with her father - it wasnt his fault. The chair Jade
threw against the white wall made Jack startle, an icy chill ran down his back.
Her father, Neville, had the same reaction two months ago when the dice fell, the same elongated
way. The resemblances between him and his daughter were there, but she had more of her mothers
looks.
I never said it would be different. It is in fact, only the dice that rolled if you think of it. I only rolled
them. Jack said nonchalantly looking over his shoulder to the wall mounted clock. Its seven
oclock, you have twelve hours left. I am sorry, if you still believe me. Just make the most of it.
Cant you help me? Anguish rose in her voice while she looked at Jack for help, encouragement,
and hope. I dont want this, this I dont want to die Jack, a tear rolled down her cheek. I want to
have children, I want a family.
I cant do anything, Jade. You know the rules, when you risk a lot, you will lose everything, even if
you nothing. Jack stood up from where he sat behind the wooden table. That is how life works, sad
but true.

Jade walked to the cross hanging on the wall in her kitchen, the cross her mother gave to her
on the second day of her fathers death. God, why me? I didnt ask for this, I didnt want this. Are
you even listening? She hit the cross off the wall with her balled up fist. An intense pain shot
through her hand where the cross met. Drops of blood fell to the floor; time slowed down the same
way it did when Jack threw the dice. Jade Leighton knew that this was her last hour - the hour that
she had to make it count, otherwise the dream of having a family will disappear in thin air.
Mom, her voice trembled behind the base of the telephone, and her hands shook with fear
not of her mothers reaction, but about what was going to happen. You know when you told us
that we can always talk to you about anything, she paused for a while to think over what she had to
say, and talked in a more relaxed voice after the deep sigh. Dad, tears swelled up in her eyes and
she couldnt talk. Dad and I, we took part in something on Long Street. We thought it was innocent
fun. I didnt think it would happen. She cried in between the mumbled whispers to her mother.
What happened, was the only response she received from her mother. Jade couldn't see
that her mother cried with her, the silent sobs stayed on the other side. What happened? she
asked again in a sturdier voice, the tears almost dried up.
We rolled the dice, to see how long we still left to live. Dad died when the guy said he would, the
room filled with her sobs again. And now its my turn. Mom, I dont want to die.
If you believe in that, if you believe that you are going to die, you will die, she said in a monotonous
voice.
Heather was her name, and she was smart. She never believed in the art of magic, even though
science could not prove that it did not exist. She believed in herself, nothing else. She was always to
the point and came forth as someone who didnt show affection, but in her way she was the most
loving person you could have met.
Dont believe in it.
The click of the phone echoed in Jades ear when the ringtone of the dead line played. She hung up
on me, went through her mind as she put the phone down.
Seven oclock. It was her time to go. She could feel the throbbing in her and cease. A low voice talked
in the back of her head, but she couldnt understand anything it said. Her head ached, her hands
dangled down the sides of her body and her eyes tried to roll backwards into her head, but she
fought against it. You arent going now, no! she said in a strong voice. Her eyes shot open; she
looked at the picture on the fridge Stevie draw her. My favorite teacher, it read with a smile. I
want a family, she said in her familiar whisper when she fell to her knees clutching her left shoulder
where her heart ached. She felt her body stiffen, and she knew that this was her time. She closed her
eyes and fell forward.