Vida hadn't seen her father since her parents divorced, and she was utterly thrilled when she heard he was coming back to live with them. She could barely contain her excitement as she spoke to him on the phone.

"Are you really coming to spend Christmas with us?" Vida asked, her voice brimming with joy.

"Yes, Snowflake, I am," her father replied. "I'm so sorry for everything I've put you and your mom through, and I promise to be a better dad from now on. To make up for it, I've got you a very special Christmas present and we're going to join the annual Christmas Bake Away Contest. Remember how you always wanted to participate when you were little? So, what do you say? Are you in?"

"Really, Dad?" Vida asked, her eyes wide with surprise and thrill.

Vida had always loved baking, especially at Christmas. She would whip up all sorts of delicious cookies and gingerbread to share with the less fortunate and the children in her neighborhood. Not only did she love baking, but she was exceptionally good at it.

She had always dreamed of winning the Christmas Bake Away Contest, an annual father-daughter baking competition hosted by their town's Mayor as part of the town's Christmas tradition. The prospect of not only having her dad spend Christmas with her but also bringing her a special present and sharing in her dream activity was almost too much to bear.

"I'm in, Dad," she finally answered, her heart swelling with happiness.

"Ready to show the judges what a real gingerbread tastes like?" he asked.

"You bet I am," she replied, her voice steady with determination.

"Be ready to meet me tomorrow at 10 am, okay?"

"Okay, Dad, I can't wait."

"See you then, my Snowflake."

Snowflake was the name her dad always called her at Christmas, because, as he said, Vida was as beautiful and uniquely distinctive as a Christmas snowflake.

☃☃☃☃

Vida got up very early the next day. She always rose early in December, enchanted by the shimmering Christmas snow, the sound of carols, and the sweet aroma of delicacies she enjoyed with her mother. But this morning was different. She hadn't been able to sleep, her mind buzzing with the anticipation of the wonderful day ahead. She got out of bed, stretched, and a smile spread across her face at the thought of the day's events.

After a quick shower, she put on her favorite Christmas sweater, a pair of blue jeans, and her white and pink boots. She was lacing up her boots when she heard the doorbell ring. She thought it was her dad but didn't rush downstairs, knowing her mom was in the kitchen making a fancy Christmas breakfast. She wanted her parents to have a moment alone to chat, after all, they had been separated for years.

Vida finished tying her boots, grabbed her scarf, and checked the clock to ensure she wasn't late. She was surprised to see it was only 8:47. But Dad said he'd pick me up at 10. Maybe he decided to come early to surprise me, she thought, smiling to herself as she made her way downstairs.

Descending the stairs, she found her mother sitting on the couch in the living room, a letter clutched between her fingers.

Mrs. Evelyn had a sad expression, her body trembling slightly. Vida rushed to her side.

"Mom, are you okay? What's wrong?" Tears streamed down her mother's cheeks at Vida's words.

Mrs. Evelyn immediately embraced her daughter. Vida was bewildered. "Mom, what is going on? You're scaring me."

Mrs. Evelyn finally spoke, her voice trembling. "Oh Vida, I'm so sorry. Your dad isn't coming today."

"What do you mean he's not coming today? When is he coming then?"

Mrs. Evelyn released her daughter, looking into her beautiful brown eyes. "He is never coming back."

Vida was stunned. "What do you mean he is never coming back? Did he run away from us again? I knew it, I knew it was too good to be true."

"Vida, your dad did not leave us again. He really meant what he told you."

"Then why isn't he coming? Is there something you're not telling me?"

Mrs. Evelyn looked at her daughter with sorrowful eyes. "Your dad had a heart attack last night and was taken to the hospital."

Vida cut in quickly, trying to stave off the dreadful thoughts filling her mind. "He's going to be okay, right?" But the answer was not what she hoped for.

"Vida, your dad did not make it."

Everything around her seemed to vanish. Vida could barely see through her tears. Her mother's words kept echoing in her ears. "He did not make it."

Vida got up and started walking towards her room, the weight of the news crashing down on her like an atomic bomb. She wanted to cry and scream, but her body felt numb, and unresponsive.

She went into her bedroom and lay down. The echoes of her mother's words were replaced by the cheerful conversation she had had with her dad the night before.

What about the activity they had planned?

What was the special gift her dad had promised?

Would she ever get to see it?

She had spent most of her childhood without a father, and just as a little sunshine began to creep into her life, it all came crashing down. So much for Christmas Eve.

...............................[AFRO PRIDE]..........................