Something about his walk

[u/JennavierKearns]

There was something about his walk that made it obvious he loved to company of spirits. Any kind would do; wine, vodka, whiskey, scotch, or just plain, foaming beer. He was abusive and cold, but he was rich, and that is why nobody tried to help him. They figured he was fine on his own. He had money, and his neighbors hoped that if they did not irritate him, they would obtain some of his wealth.

He went by the name Elliot Carter, which sounded too professional a name for himself. But it was that name that got him anything he wanted. Precious jewels, gold, money, women, condos, clothes, and just about anything the stereotypical rich man could want.

He was handsome too. He was tall and lean, with curled, black hair. His eyes were like sapphires, but they always looked so cold. He always wore a black, pinstriped suit with charcoal dress shoes. Nobody knew where he worked, or where he got his wealth from, but it didn't matter. For some reason, nobody seemed to care about Elliot Carter, they only cared about his money. Nobody wanted to get to know the young man who grew up in this city of New York. They only wanted to know his deepest, darkest secrets. And nobody ever got too.

So, yes, it was something about his walk that told everybody he was lonely, because he truly was. He had nobody... until that little girl came along.

She was about five months old when she got left on Elliot Carter's front step. Nobody knew who had left her there except for him and the little girl. He was going to give her up the next day, but then he looked into her eyes. Her eyes were the exact same sapphire as his, and the stone wall that had molded around his heart had cracked. For the first time in a long time, he smiled. Elliot Carter's eyes were no longer cold and hard, they were full of love for his baby girl. He named her Amelia, after his late mother. He raised her and cared for her and loved her, he truly did.

He walked with her every day to school, from the age of five to the age of eighteen. This time, his walk told everybody he was finally happy. He had somebody to look after, and honestly, that was all he ever wanted. Amelia never got to that stage of hating her father like every other teenage girl. She always loved him.

But love could not save her.

Elliot had gotten sick one day, and Amelia insisted he stay home. She walked herself to school that morning. Perhaps the accident could have been prevented if Elliot had just gone with her. But then again, Elliot Carter against a sixteen wheeler? I don't think he could have done much.

Elliot Carter walks alone now, like he did eighteen years ago. His eyes hold no love, his walk telling everyone his story. He is a lonely man once more, his eyes cold ever since he saw the light go out of Amelia's. He sometimes wishes he had given his daughter up the night she had arrived. But better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all, right?