Daryl's Girl

Chapter 17

"Hey, sweetheart, wake up."

I opened my eyes and Hannah was standing next to my bed with her hand on my shoulder. A warm smile on her face. "I made you some lunch."

"Is daddy back?" I asked. Hannah would always come over and look after me when my daddy wasn't here. I liked her.

I didn't understand why I needed a babysitter. I wasn't a baby. I was five years old and can look after myself, just like my daddy can. He says I'm a big girl now and I have to make mommy proud, but I hadn't seen her in a long time because dad said I wasn't allowed. He wouldn't tell me why she was in hospital and every time dad went to see her, Hannah would come play games with me. He said mommy was better now and I couldn't wait until she came home.

"Not yet honey."  She replied. "Come on. lets get you some food."

I nodded, but I didn't want to walk so Hannah picked me up and carried me down the stairs. She then sat me down on the sofa and handed me some juice and a cheese and ham sandwich she cut into little triangles. Cheese and ham was my favourite, but I liked the way my mommy did them better. Mommy would cut them into circles and make them into smiley faces. They still tasted yummy though and now it was my turn to make something for Hannah.

I handed her my empty plate and sat down at my kitchen where, Mr. Teddington and Dolly were waiting, and made her a some tea out of my juice. That was then I remember my daddy asked me to make him a sandwich before he left. He said he'd be right back, but he wasn't and his hot chocolate I'd made him before my nap was getting cold. 

"Hannah, where's daddy?" I asked.

"He's gone to the hospital. To visit your mommy. Remember?" Hannah smiled.

"Oh, yeah." I recalled.

I was pouring some more tea into Hannah's cup when the phone rang and she got up to answer it. I just watched as she walked out of the room, but went back to have my tea party with my toys. Giving each one a cup and giving Mr. Teddington and Dolly some cake. They were my favorite because mommy had given them to me before she left and told me to look after them because they were hers when she as a little girl. 

Then I heard crying. 

I stood up, picking up Mr. Teddington and Dolly and walked over to the doorway where I looked over at Hannah. She had her hand over her mouth, her blonde hair tucked behind her ears and her eyes leaked. "Yes. I'll tell her. Don't worry about it. Take as long as you need, we'll see you later." She sobbed. I just squeezed Mr. Teddington and Dolly as hard as I could. Was she angry at me?

Hannah put the phone down and looked surprised to see me standing in the doorway before she walked over. She then took my hands in hers and crouched down in front of me. "Hannah, why are you crying?" I asked.

She looked at me and took a deep breath, allowing a tear to fall from her eye. "Do you remember in school when your teacher would talk to you about God and Heaven?" I nodded, but I didn't understand what it all meant. "Well, your mommy, she's gone to live there now."

"What does that mean?" I had a feeling it wasn't good.

"It means she's not coming home sweetheart." She hugged me. "Your daddy's gonna be back soon. It's okay."

I didn't understand. What did this mean? Daddy said Mommy would be home any day now.

Hannah took me back into the living room and we sat on the sofa. She was trying to explain what was happening to me, but I just didn't understand. I just held onto Mr. Teddington and Dolly, wanting mommy and daddy to come home.