The Little Blue House with the Green Front Door.

A tall woman wrapped in a cozy cardigan poked her head into the master bedroom. “Goodnight pops,” she called gently, as she did every night. But tonight, there was no response from inside the dimly lit room; only the familiar sound of the oscillating fan and the medical equipment's low drone.

She pushed the door open all the way and stepped inside, her heart rate rising and her fingers trembling. “Dad?” No response. She flipped on the lamp and walked over to the bed, her eyes focused on the motionless form beneath the heavy blankets. With a sinking understanding, she slumped into the chair at his bedside and took his cold hand in hers as gently as she could manage. For as prepared as they had tried to be, The moment finally here, it was always going to feel like this, like a punch to the gut and a rake across her heart.

She stayed there a while, her forehead pressed to his hand, soaking up what time she could before making the call. “Now what am I going to do, daddy?” She lifted her weary eyes and looked around the room slowly. She had taken care of him for so long, her only responsibility in the world... but what now?

A moment later, she paused at the sight of a little black notebook on the nightstand, pressed open beneath the weight of a brass key. Interest piqued, she placed his hand tenderly across his chest and reached for the notebook, reading the words scrawled in his unsteady print:

For my Peanut...

She turned the page apprehensively.

If you’re reading this then the time has come for one final story.

Follow the clues on the next couple pages to find a treasure I saved just for you. Go, my little Countess of Monte Cristo; seek and you shall find.

The woman laughed, surprise and grief blending gracefully. Of course he would have one last game. He always had to have the last word. She should have expected this; it made sense he would plan something in his last days. She slowly stood with bittersweet curiosity, kissed his forehead, and flipped the page.

Go to the living room and turn the page. No peeking or I’ll ghost-kick your butt, little girl. She laughed again and bare feet swept her to the living room. She turned the page.

This is where you took your first steps, remember? “ Chasing Sammy down the hall. You loved telling me that story, and how I ran straight into the wall and you couldn’t stop laughing, even though you felt horrible for it. You told me I had a bump the size of a golf ball for weeks!” Silence responded.

Next, the back patio.

This is where I caught you kissing that neighbor boy when you were 10 and I almost killed you both! Good thing I didn’t because look at you, you went and married the man! How many years is it now? Thirteen, fourteen? I always wanted the best for you and he really has done a damn good job of taking care of you. Don’t ever tell him I admitted that though or I’ll lose my dignity. Don’t you do it! “It will be the first thing I do when he gets home, pops! You can count on it. I always knew you liked him.” The smile on her lips and the soft laughter in the air echoed through the quiet as she flipped the page expectantly.

Next, your bedroom.

This is where you first told me you started your period when you were 13 and I was mortified. I didn’t know what to do. I even called Grams! Nothing prepared me for that awkward conversation, and then the following awkward conversation about birds and bees, which you and I, both, were clearly over before it even started.

But something I never told you. You absolutely amazed me in that moment, so sure and confident; turning into a young woman. You weren’t the clumsy, goofy little kid anymore who used to get gum stuck in her hair once a month. You were poised and ready to tackle anything, even puberty.

It was that moment that I felt maybe, just maybe, I had done a good enough job that you would make it in this world. You didn't need me anymore, but I realized how much I needed you. You were and still are the most amazing woman I know and I am so proud of you, Peanut. “And you were the best dad a girl could ask for.” Tears were wiped absently away with the back of her sleeve as she turned to the next page.

Last one, my office.

This is where the best and worst things in my life happened. Bad news first; this is where we got the phone call that all the biopsies came back positive. The good news; I got a phone call about thirty years earlier that I was gonna be a father! Well, maybe they were both bad news... Just kidding, just kidding! “Ha-ha-ha, funny one, dad.” She rolled her eyes, the humor and misery mixing through her features.

Okay, Peanut, take that key and go to your bookshelf. The one on the left where the window seat is that you used to curl up in for hours and read. Just behind the seat, against the wall, there is a hidden latch; open it and lift the bench. Inside is a lockbox, that’s what the key is for if you haven’t figured that out yet, genius. Another amused roll of the eyes as she followed the instructions written on the page.

Inside the metal lockbox was an old shoebox. She removed the top and froze, her mind trying to make sense of the chaos within. Her smile brightened. Inside were drawings and report cards and all other manner of her child-created ridiculousness, saved and tucked safely away. But as she picked up and looked through the memories, something caught her attention. She dug down to the bottom, beneath all the crayon and glitter, and pulled at the edge of a dollar bill. Only it wasn't just a dollar bill.

Beneath all those crafts and keepsakes were two stacks of cash, the band around them each stating $10,000. She held the cash up, eyes wide and unbelieving. “How? What? This is $20,000 dad!” The silence smiled.

She flipped the little black book to the next page, the author's last entry, eagerly looking for an explanation and found it.

I wish I had more to leave you but this should help get you back to school like we talked about, or even get you guys a new house somewhere far away. I’ve had this saved for you for a long time now, knowing you would use it better than I ever could've (weekly lotto cards and boxed wine. Everyone has their weaknesses, kid).

Thank you, for taking care of me when I got sick and dealing with me when I didn't get better. For loving this old man even when he wasn’t his best while you were growing up, and for sticking around even though I you didn't have to. Lastly, for being the best daughter a father could ask for. Mine was a life well-lived, because you were in it, little girl.

So this small treasure of mine is for you, my treasure, my little Peanut. Now go set off on adventures many and leave all this behind. Time to find some treasures of your own and live your life. I'll be watching and protecting from above (and definitely not directing bird poo at that husband of yours).

I love you with all my heart and soul,

Be seeing you,

Dad.