Once Bitten

Part Eleven

I didn't want to tell dad about the man because he'd probably fear getting robbed. Dad started to get up "Ready to go?" "Guess so." We got back down to the horses and fastened the rifles. We opened the gated area and left. There wasn't as many walkers leaving as when we were coming so we only had to use our guns a few times. When we got home we unloaded our backpacks on to the counter and both put everything away into the cabinets. That night we had a nice dinner sitting in the living room with candles lit. We tried to be happy telling stories of the past, joking about things that used to make us smile. We laughed till we cried and then it all turned into real tears. Dad put his head down in his hand, "I miss them.." I scooted closer to put my arm around him. "I do too, dad." "I've known your mom almost my whole life. I haven't gone this long without her since I was ten and she was nine. We were bestfriends then till the day she died, it really is so hard not having her here with me, not having her here to hold, not being able to hear her hums as she walked around, and most of all not being able to see her smile." I'm not used to seeing my dad like this not even when grandpa passed away, mom was always there to keep him strong. "I'm here for you though dad, I always will be." He turned and hugged me tightly. "Thank you, Mae." He got up and picked up our trash. "You should go ahead and get some sleep." I hugged him once more and walked to the room. As soon as I was going to close the bedroom door he called out, "Mae?" I turned to him, "yes, dad?" He wiped his face with his shirt and looked back at me. "I love you." "I love you too, dad."