Far From You

Bedtime Stories and Speeches

Kate's POV

After school, I stop by the graveyard, flowers in hand. "Hey Dad." I say. "Sorry I haven't been here in a while." I lay the flowers down on top of the stone. I rearrange some of the things around the stone.

"It's just been hard, you know?" I wipe away a few tears. "I really miss you, Dad. You know the worst part? When you were here, any time I needed to talk to someone, it was you. But now..." I sigh. "I lost you five years ago. Then I got you back. Then I lost you again."

I hang my head, tears falling fast. "And I broke up with Peter. You told me to love him always because he was all I had. I broke my promise. I'm so sorry, Dad." I shake my head and leave.

*

I lay on my bed that evening, doing homework. Mom walks into the room, knocking on the door slightly. "Hey." She says.

I sit up. "Hey, Mom."

"You-know-who wants you." Mom says with a smirk.

I smile. "Of course she does." I say, walking to Morgan's room. I knock. "Did someone order a fresh big sister?"

She giggles. "I did! I did!"

"Yeah, and it comes with complementary tickles!" I shout, jumping onto her bed and tickling her.

"No, no no!" She shouts, laughing. "I ordered too many! Send them back!"

I laugh, lying beside her. I kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, Morgan."

"No." She says, pouting.

"No?" I ask.

"Tell me a story." She demands.

"Okay. Once upon a time..." I start.

"No! Tell me a real story!" She says.

"A real story?" I ask. She nods. "Okay... how about I tell you the story of how I almost burned the kitchen down?"

"Yes!" She cheers.

I laugh. "Okay, so basically it was Mom and Dad's anniversary, so I wanted to bake them a cake. I was only ten, so I had no idea what I was doing of course. So I put the cake in the oven, and not knowing how long to put it in or what temperature, the oven engulfed in flames. Luckily, the sprinklers worked perfectly."

Morgan laughs. "That's funny!"

"Yeah, it is." I admit. "Okay. Time for bed, young lady." I say with mock serious.

"When is Peter coming back?" Morgan asks, out of nowhere.

"Peter?" I ask.

"Yes. I miss him." She pouts.

I chuckle. "Yeah, but you won't miss me. I'll stay here with you instead of going on the trip."

"No! You have to go." Morgan insists.

"Why?" I ask, confused.

"You have to go so you can love Peter again!" She says. I sigh.

"I don't know if that's gonna happen, sweetie." I say, quietly.

"Why? Don't you love him?" Morgan asks, confused.

"I do." I say, holding back tears.

"Then why doesn't he come anymore?" Morgan demands.

"Uh, sometimes you have to separate from someone because you love them." I explain.

"Oh." She says.

"Yeah. But no more stalling. Time for bed." I say.

"Okay. Night-night. I love you 3000!" She says.