The Fairy Tale of Garry Munster and Collin Racks - 2. If Wishes Could Come True

“Is it true?” Six-year-old Janie asked as she buried herself into her daddy Colin’s arm.

“Is what true?”

“That when you wish upon a star, all your wishes come true?”

“As true as I’m in front of you.” Colin brushed her blonde hair.

“How can you be sure?”

Colin nuzzled in her neck and confided in her. “Because I saw it happen.”

“You did?” She was so impressed her eyes popped.

“Can you keep a secret?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“I’m going to tell you about what happened, okay, but you can’t tell anyone. Do you promise?”

“I swear.”

“So, like all good stories, this one starts once upon a time…

* * * *

Colin sighed at the sky, holding his coat closer to protect himself from the cold night of early September. The stars were weirdly visible for such a big city’s lighting. Behind him, in the kitchen, the vestige of a romantic dinner laid, almost untouched. The glass Sean had broken against the floor spilt velvet red wine on the white flooring.

“I wish I had the courage to leave him,” he wished upon a star.

Closing his eyes, the memory of what had happened tonight replayed in his mind. He shivered, but it wasn’t from the cold. He grinned when he slowly touched his eye. He didn’t want to imagine what it would look like tomorrow.

The patio door was slightly open, so he heard Sean coming back from their bedroom where he’d been hiding out since the fight.

“I’m really sor—” he started before stepping on the wine, the red liquid quickly soaking his white socks. He looked at Colin condescendingly. “Are you such a stupid kid you can’t even clean up after your own mess?”

“Get out.”

“What did you say?”

Feeling suddenly invincible, Colin lifted his head to look right into Sean’s eyes. “I said., Get. Out. Of. My. House.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” He laughed.

“I am. Pack your bags and get out. Now.”

Sean wasn’t laughing anymore. If anything, he looked more enraged that Colin had ever seen him.

Sean got really close to him, spitting in his face. “You can’t break up with me.”

“I can, and I am. We’re over.”

Sean pushed him against the handrail, but for some reason, Colin wasn’t scared of him for once—he felt indestructible.

When the first punch came in his stomach, Colin lost his breath. At the second, only Sean’s grip on his neck stopped Colin from falling on the ground. He tried to block the third one, but it only deviated to his ribs. He tried to kick Sean, but he saw it coming and threw Colin on the wooden floor. He took a fetal position to protect himself from Sean’s kicks. Sean wouldn’t stop, no matter how much Colin begged; he was too lost in his anger. When the sound of police cars was heard, he finally ran away.

Colin was left bleeding on the ground, his breath shallow and difficult. Powerless tears drenched his cheeks as he wished upon a star once again.

“I wish I could meet someone to love me for real.”

Then, Colin felt strong arms embracing him and the sweetest voice calmed him.

“Everything’s gonna be alright. My name’s Garry, and I called the EMT for you.”

Colin fell into unconsciousness with a feeling of security.

* * * *
“…And Corey and Garrett lived happily ever after with the nicest little girl.”

“And what happened to the big bad wolf?” Janie said as she gave a tight hug to her father.

“He was arrested and now lives in big bad wolf jail.

“So he won’t ever bother Corey and Garrett again?”

Colin kissed her forehead. “He won’t ever bother them again.”

“Okay,” she said, yawning.

Colin put the cover on his little girl and kissed her one last time.

“Good night, Daddy.”

“Good night, sweety.”

Colin turned off the light and left the bedroom.