Brooklyn baby Pt.3

                                    

                                          


- Continued
Kamala's eyes widened in shock. "Your daughter?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I had no idea... you have a daughter why-.." 
Julia cut her off. Her tears still continued to fall. "Had. She passed away a few years ago." she continued to stare at the painting, it almost felt so surreal, it was like she was speaking to her through the painting. Kamala captured her eyes so well. 
"She was so young Kamala. I- I don't understand— how did you get everything right?" 
Kamala ran  her hands over Julia's shoulder, bringing her into a warm embrace. "I told you, I had a dream about her."  
Julia continued to cry. Trying to gather herself together. 
"What was her name, and how did she pass— if you don't mind me asking?" Kamala asked. 
Julia, wiped her tears. Still staring at the portrait. "Anastasia. And um— s-she died from a car accident, a really bad one. It was all my fault." She choked up again.
Julia's voice trembled as she continued, "Kamala, it's all my fault. The car accident... it's my fault. I keep replaying that day in my mind, and it breaks me every time."
Kamala held her hand tighter, her eyes filled with concern. "Julia, what happened?"
Julia took a shaky breath and began to recount the memory. "Anastasia was in the back seat, humming to her music and watching her favorite kid shows. Her father and I were arguing in the front seat, our voices getting louder and louder. I was so distracted, so caught up in the fight, that I didn't see the car coming towards us until it was too late."
Julia's voice cracked, and tears streamed down her face. "The impact was so sudden. I remember the car flipping, the sound of metal crunching, and then everything went dark. When I came to, Anastasia... she was unconscious. I couldn't reach her, Kamala. I couldn't save her."
Kamala's eyes welled up with tears as she listened. "Julia, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident."
Julia shook her head, her sobs growing louder. "I should have been paying attention. I should have kept my focus on the road. If I hadn't been arguing, maybe... maybe she'd still be here."
Kamala wrapped her arms around Julia, holding her tightly. "You can't blame yourself, Julia. Accidents happen, and it's not fair to carry this burden alone. Anastasia wouldn't want you to suffer like this."
Julia buried her face in Kamala's shoulder, her body shaking with grief. "I just miss her so much. Every-time I think about it, I can just see the images. I remember how scared she was when we were arguing, she was crying and screaming. Saying "daddy stop. Don't hurt mommy." She was so scared, trying to protect me. And he blamed me you know.. was yelling at me telling me it was all my fault, telling the police and ambulance that I had a plan to kill either him or her." 
Julia, chuckled as she wiped away her tears. She was hurt, and angry. Thinking about that day. "He made it seem like it was my fault— and I let his words get to me. Blaming myself all these fucking years. I remember just seeing her little body, being pry out of the car. I remember just being in so much shock, watching her lifeless body being put onto the stretcher, seeing her blood everywhere. Her father, was yelling at me, pushing me around, hitting me— telling me it was all my fault. I- just wish it was me instead. She didn't deserve any of that. I put her through so much." 
Kamala continued to hold Julia's body in hers as she continued to tell her story. 
"I blame myself for it is because, I stayed in the relationship with her father. If I would've left, she would've still been here."