Once Upon A Karma (Karmic Krystal Book 1) by Rosie Malezer Read Free Book Online Page A

television screen.  “Ever mind the rule of three,” I whisper before going to bed.

Chapter Four
    All is quiet in the Hunter household after losing Rusty.  Immersed in grief, Dad digs a grave for our beloved dog, burying his remains at the fence line in the back yard.  On top of Rusty’s resting place, I level a spot on top of the dirt with my hand.  It is here that Rusty’s water bowl will sit.  Each day, fresh water will replace that from the day before.  Although we know that Rusty is no longer with us, the fresh water will enable surrounding wildlife to quench their thirst each time they pass through.  I also plant a tiny Frangipani branch in the soil which covers Rusty’s body in lieu of a tombstone.  With each daily visit, I will water the branch after each prayer to the Goddess, asking that she give the small branch the strength to grow big and strong.
    Over the next few days, I watch as Dad puts his building ideas to work.  After bringing home a load of soft pine, he unloads it next to his work space under the house.  Carefully measuring, cutting, drilling and screwing pieces of wood together, he keeps quiet about what it is that he is making.  This creates a world of excitement, leaving my sisters and me playing guessing games about what it might be. 
    “Is it a sandpit?” asks Tania.  Our dad simply shakes his head while continuing to put this mysterious object together.
    “A new bed?” asks Leena.
    “Why would you want a new bed?” Tania enquires.  “Did you pee yours?”  Both girls giggle aloud before looking up to see what my guess would be.  I shrug my shoulders, not knowing nor caring what it will be.  I force a smile before returning to watching Dad’s masterpiece come together.
    It is Yule once more.  While my father lights the Yule log, my mother puts some Egg Nog on the table before she hands our gifts to us.  Leena squeals with delight as she opens her gift of five giant colouring books and a full set of colouring pencils.  Tania’s eyes open wide when she opens her gift.  She receives her very own game of Twister , which she can play with her family or her friends at kindergarten the following year.   It is then time for my gift.  I slowly unwrap my present and smile.  Not only is there a game called Ludo , but there is also a large framed photograph of me and Rusty, with my arms wrapped around Rusty’s neck.  We look so happy in the photograph, with both of us smiling.  I decided that this picture will hang on the wall of my bedroom so I can see my furry friend each night before I go to sleep.  I miss him very much.
    Once the gifts are put away and everybody has returned to the kitchen, I notice that Dad has not returned to the table.
    “Why isn’t Daddy here?” I ask Mum.
    “I’m in here!” he calls from the living room.  Together, we all stand up and follow his voice, wondering why he is sitting alone in the dark.  When I turn the living room light on, I can’t help but giggle when Dad squints from the sudden bright light shining into his eyes.
    “Are you okay, Daddy?”  I ask as I climb up onto his lap.  Once we are all sitting down, he simply stares at the wall.  I follow the direction of his stare.  It is a few seconds before I notice it, but there is something against the wall, covered in a pink floral bed sheet.  “What is it?” It puzzles me why a covered box would be in our house. 
    My father lifts me from his lap and walks over to the sheet.  “Don’t you want to know what it is that I have been making?” he asks, a pretend-shocked look appearing on his face.  Simultaneously, our eyes grow big with excitement at finally learning the big secret.  Pulling away the sheet, Dad unveils the most amazing bookcase I have ever seen!  I run over and hug his leg while staring at our wooden bookcase in awe.  Each shelf of the bookcase is filled with brand new books from different authors: Mark Twain, John O’Grady, May Gibbs, Enid