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༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄༄
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌 𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐅𝐓 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 glow of home, a warmth that was perpetually settled during this past week. All of our family gathered in the living room before the imminent departure of my parents to District 12. We were all used to them leaving regularly yet this time something was different. We had all grown accustomed to being with one another, and I could feel the shift in the air as we all had to say goodbye.
My father wore a reassuring smile on his face but I could discern the evident sadness in his eyes as he was forced by duty yet again to leave his children behind. "Take care, you two. We'll be back before you know it." His words, though familiar, carried a sincerity that resonated with the hope of a swifter return.
He came to me and embraced me in an effectuate hug, his arms clenched around my body more fiercely than usual. "You're the strength of this family now, my sweet girl like you always were. Take good care of your brother and yourself."
He softly whispered in my ears before he broke our embrace and took my face in his hands. "We'll be back soon, I promise Opie."
As he held my face in his hands, I saw a reflection of my own uncertainties mirrored in his eyes and I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, trying to convey a strength I wasn't sure I possessed.
"We'll be back soon, I promise," he repeated, as if trying to convince himself as much as me. His eyes held a plea — a request for understanding, patience. The weight of responsibility drew lines on his face, evidence of the sacrifices made for a world that demanded so much.
I mustered a smile, hoping to reflect some kind of confidence. "We'll be waiting." I replied, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within.
My mother knelt gracefully to meet Laertes's eye level. "Be good, my little sea star. Take care of your sister." She spoke to him with a softness that mirrored the affectionate nickname she reserved for him after the passion he always had for the sky.
"I promise, Mom." Laertes nodded, a determination shining in his eyes. As our glances met, an unspoken understanding passed between us. The weight of responsibility now rested on both our shoulders, and in that shared moment, we silently vowed to look out for each other.
My father, in a gesture of deep affections, took my brother in his arms. Despite Laertes being twelve and too old to carry but my father didn't seem to care and place a tender kiss on his forehead.
