That was when it hit me. He was never coming back.
“Darling, your father wants to speak to you!” My mother shouted from downstairs.
“Coming!” I shouted back. She always gets frustrated when I call from the top of the stairs, but she did it first! I sprinted downstairs, making as much noise as possible – only to irritate her!
“What have I told you about running down the stairs, Jenny?” She huffed, rolling her eyes.
“I know! Anyways, what did you want to tell me, Dad?” I asked, trying not to sound worried.
Dad looked miserable “I am leaving to go to war next week, I don’t have a choice.”
I looked from dad to my mother, their faces said it all. I could feel water welling up under my eyes. I could taste the saltwater dripping down my face. I didn’t know what to do.
“Are you going to say anything?” My mother asked, trying to be sympathetic but it only made me feel worse. I ran past my dad trying to hide my tears. I slammed my door and collapsed onto my bed. I knew it wasn’t his fault, but I couldn’t help the feeling of resentment towards him. He was leaving us. He can’t go, and why is he telling me now?
I woke up the next morning, my eyes all red and puffy. I must’ve cried myself to sleep. I still couldn’t believe he was going to do this to me. What had I ever done to make him leave?
Mother came upstairs and gently tapped on my door.
“May I come in?” She, asked, her voice was very polite, the opposite of Dad’s. They are a very unlikely couple, one posh; the other not so. She came in without even waiting for an answer!
“What happened last night?!” My Mother questioned.
“Oh, I don’t really want to talk about it. I can’t really accept the fact that he’s leaving.”
“Darling, He doesn’t get a choice!”
“Yes, I know that. But it still feels like a betrayal.” I said turning away from her, trying to signal for her to go away.
“Ok, I guess I’ll leave you to it, I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.” she sang in her sweet motherly tone.
The next few days were tough, I never said a word to my dad; I didn’t think I would ever be able to get over this border I had unintentionally put up for myself. I never thought of myself as having a fear of letting go, but it was really starting to make itself shown.
It finally came to dad’s last morning at home, I had to get over this – I was being stupid! I ran into my parents’ room and threw myself into my dad’s arms. He was about to leave so
I helped him pack all his things in the car. He got in mournfully, looking back he gave me a heartbreaking smile. That’s when it hit me, he was never coming back.