“It’s a scary world out there,” he said to her.
“Yes, Daddy, but you’ll always be there to keep me safe!” she replied, trying to make him smile.
He forced the corners of his mouth to turn up, knowing what he would say would be a lie. “I’ll be with you always, sweetie.”
Little did she know he would be gone in a week’s time.
Little did he know he would watch her grow up, always from a distance.
Many times she would shed tears for him.
Many times he would try to reach out to wipe them away.
“Are you still there, Daddy?” she looked up, calling.
“I’ll be with you always, sweetie,” he whispered, inaudibly.
