Second Chance at Love

 Prologue “Mme., I’m so sorry for your loss. But rest assured, we’ve caught the drunk driver. We’ll make sure he gets what he deserves.” The police officer tells me. How can this happen? We only got married 5 months ago. What am I going to tell our daughter? She only 15. How do I tell her, her dad's never coming home again? How did we go from being the happiest we’ve ever been in our life, to this moment? I know the police officer is still talking to me, but I can’t hear him. I hear his voice but can’t make out the words. My husband is dead. He died. He died in a car crash. How can someone be this drunk at 7 in the morning? How the hell do I explain this to our daughter? I can’t feel my legs. Why can’t I feel my legs? The next thing I know, I’m being grabbed by the police officer before my head hit the floor. I feel my consciousness slipping away from me. What I am going to do? I tell myself before passing out.       Chapter 1 It has been a year already. I still don't know how I can manage to function every day. I guess I have my daughter to thank for that. She's the only reason I get up in the morning. She reminds me so much of her dad... Same green eyes, same ridiculous goofy smile. Some days it makes my heart tightens, but it also makes it lighter. Knowing I still have a part of him in her. My friends all know what today is. They are trying to be supportive of me, of my grieving. But they don't know what it's like, losing the love of your life.  My best friend, Sandy, show up this morning with a huge Icecap filled with whipped cream and maple shavings. She knows it's my favorite. "How did you sleep last night, Tasha? You look like a train wreck." She tells me, sipping on her cup of coffee. "I dreamt of him. Of the day the police showed up here. I can still remember the exact moment I had to come in and identified him. I'll never get that image out of my mind. It was disturbing. I wish I had sent someone else. I wish I didn't remember him like that" I say, feeling the tears coming up. "I know. I wish you hadn't had to go through that.” She says, giving me a quick hug. "Morning mom! Hey Sandy, got one for me too?" My darling daughter Kaylee asks, finally making an appearance before getting her ass to school. "Here you go!" Sandy hands her a large cup of French vanilla, her favorite.  What would our morning look like without any form of caffeine? "All set for school?" I ask her.  "Yes, mom..."  She says, rolling her eyes. "Oh really? Are you sure you're not forgetting something?" I ask again, already knowing that she did. Turning around, she sees that I'm holding her printed out book report. Coming back in, she grabs it and kissed me on the cheek.  "What would I do without you?" She tells me, running back out the door. "You'd fail, that's what you'd do!” I yell out as she pulled out her tongue at me, rushing off to school. "Love you, mom! " She screams shutting the door behind her. "I love you too, BB" I whisper more to myself since she's already gone. "The more she grows up, the more she looks like her dad," Sandy says with a forlorn smile. Realizing what she just said and from the sullen look on my face, she grabs my hands from across the counter. "I'm sorry, I didn't think before I said that." "No, no. Don't worry. Your right anyway. She does look like her dad, and that a good thing. She can look at herself and see him every day in her own eyes. They're exactly the same." I say with a content smile. Taking another sip of her coffee, Sandy suddenly stand up. "So, ready for this weekend?" She asks, with a hopeful expression. As much as I love my friends for wanting to distract me, I'm not sure I'm ready to go to a party.  "I don't know Sandy; I don't think I'll go. I'll just feel out of place and be a downer for everyone. Party’s with downers are no fun. " "Oh, come on!" She says, exaggerating her exasperated facial expression. "It'll be fun. A few tequilas shot and NO ONE will be a downer, I guarantee it!" She says, shrugging her shoulder, dancing in my kitchen. "I don't know Sandy…" I say, winning, sliding myself on top of the counter, and slamming my head on it. "Pretty please?!" She now begs, making a puppy dog face. She'll never stop if I don't say yes. "Fine, but if it sucks, I'm leaving early! I'm warning you" I tell her, pointing my finger in her direction. "Yeah! PARTY TIME!!!" She screamed so loudly I have to cover my ears. "Too early for screams, stop!" I say half-serious, half laughing. "Alright, alright, I'll stop for now. Now get your ass ready for work, or we'll be late!" She says, swatting her hand on my shoulder. Getting up from my chair, I head to my closet. I'm thinking, red blazer, black lacy top, and my navy skinny jeans. Paired with my red high heels and it's the perfect outfit.  "Hair up or down?" I ask Sandy, looking at myself in the mirror, holding my hair up with one hand, looking from side to side. I have a meeting today with the owner of the store I manage. I want to make a good impression, but I also don't want to look like a slut either. I've only been back for 6 months. After my Michael died, I was in no condition to work, so I took some time off. And today's my first manager's meeting since starting back. I feel so nervous and out of it, today being his death anniversary.  "Half and half, with a few curls." She says with confidence. What would I do without my friend's help and support?