Page 84 of Last Chance

“Oh Daddy, don’t be silly. I know every word on here by heart already, but I want you to read it.” The way her eyes look into mine makes my heart sing. I can’t help it when I lean in to kiss her sweetcheeks.

“Okay, let me see.” I take the letter from her, carefully, opening it the rest of the way, and read the words I wrote to my wife all those yearsago.

After I finish the first paragraph, Mia stops me, “I want to sing it tonight, Daddy. Is that okay with you?” She’s referencing the song I wrote calledLastChance.

I kiss her head as I whisper, “Go forit.”

Her head nuzzles into my chest when she sings, “It was dark until you lit up my sky. Sun shining down, making me open my eyes. The girl who’s been there for so long. My life cracking until you made it strong.” She pauses and looks up at me. “Daddy, do I sound like mommy when I singit?”

Even though I never heard Mackenzie sing it, flashbacks of her at the karaoke bar run through my head. “You sound exactly like her,” Isay.

Her face brightens with a bigsmile.

She turns back to her cuddle position. After she finished the song, I reach for the iPad, hit play to Mackenzie’s video ofGoodnight Sweetheart,and listen to Mia’s sweet voice sing along with her mom. Her tiny hand wraps around my waist, hugging me as we enjoy the beauty of Mackenzie staring back atus.

It hurts every time I see Mackenzie, but my heart is slowly healing from losingher.

When the song is over, Mia kisses the screen, then hugs me. She’s my sweet angel, and the only chance to make my worldright.

After pulling the covers up, I kiss her forehead andleave.

I don’t have my own routine to remember Mackenzie, but today was a big day. So after grabbing a beer, I sit on the couch and pull out a photo album of our timetogether.

Music plays on my stereo, and it’s no surprise whenWatching Over Meby Thousand Foot Krutch plays. A smile grows on my face as I drop my head back against the couch. This song always has a way of turning up when I need to hear it most. I know it’s not acoincidence.

It’s her, always watching over me, just like the songsays.