Rain but smiles abound.

A baby girl is brought into the world

placed into the arms of a tired yet

overjoyed mother.

A grinning father whose heart expands with

the precious love that he wishes

to give her

but he does not know

that his wish will not

come true.

 

Snow covers the rotten leaves.

Two sisters roll around while

giggling and shouting with glee.

Their parents stand beside each other,

hands intertwined, arms wrapped around,

and smiling with adoration.

They do not know that

this blissful moment

is fleeting.

 

The clock reads 2:11AM.

The door creaks open and her mother’s heels

click clack through the hallway.

The little girl feigns sleep as

the blanket is tucked in and a kiss is left behind.

Her eyes peek open for a glimpse

but there is

no one.

Just as she expected.

 

Her mother signs quickly

for she is ashamed.

Every form signed means a

bit

of

her

dignity

is lost.

Yet the little girl and her sister

pay no mind. For they feel as if

Christmas has come early.

 

Light floods the dark room.

A stranger is standing in the doorway.

The darkness is missed for

it was her companion

for the past fifteen years.

He approaches

and she steps back.

He steps back

and she approaches.

It’s a game of cat and mouse

 

continue to be played until finally

she stands still

as he walks

and embraces her

with adoration

hands intertwined

arms wrapped around

kisses on the cheek

and a confident

unfalteringly

unwavering

smile.

He is her Father

and she is no longer the little girl.