"Come on, sweetie," one of them urged softly. "You can't be here right now."
"Daddy?" I heard my voice rise in panic and fright. I turned my gaze at my parents' bedroom, seeing Mom sobbing in someone's arms. "Mom? Mommy, what's going on?"
Nobody had wanted to tell me anything that morning. Eventually, they had to.
That was why he was in a closed casket. The scar around his neck had been too visible...
--- // ---
I remember getting angry with him before one of his long tours. I had yelled, "Fine, just leave!", only to regret that later. Then Mommy and I had a video-chat with him during one of his breaks. I'd wanted to cry.
"I'm sorry, Daddy." But he just smiled. On the screen, I could see his deep, dark brown eyes soften.
"I know, Baby," he whispered softly. "I'm sorry too. I know this isn't easy, but you know I'll be back soon. Okay? Always."
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too, Baby."
Always, he'd always promised.
