Dear Papa:

It’s been a long time since you left,
Since I last saw you,
Since we last talked.
You never call -
Not to say hello.
Not to see if I’m fine.
Not for anything.
I’m doing fine, in case you were wondering.
You probably weren’t, but I just thought I’d let you know.
I’m graduating this year -  a few more months until I’m off on my own.
Just a wild guess, but you aren’t coming for the ceremony, huh?
It’s okay. I know you’re busy.
You’ve been too busy for a lot of things recently.
Like birthdays.
And Christmas.
And weekends.
And dinner.
And phone calls.
Are you avoiding me? Us?
I’m angry at you again, but what else is new?
You left us, but Mom says you were gone even before I was born.
Why did you have me if you knew you weren’t going to stay?
Was I you and mom’s last shot at happiness?
At staying together?
At saving our family?
Was I not enough to make you stay?
I want to forgive you.
To forget what you did.
To understand why you never came back.
To know why we weren’t enough for you.
 

It’s been a long time since you left.

Call when you can, then,
Your Daughter