WHEN DADDY LEFT

Anthony

                   Y'vania's POV

The moment the elevator doors opens and Sam's sees me she comes in running and hugs me tightly. She has grown a bit taller since the last time I saw her. She refuses to let go of me and I struggle to focus on my walking at the same time holding her.

The whole Miller family is here apart from Anthony. It hurts not to see him again. A part of me still misses him. I know I would've forgiven him if he'd made it.

"Sam, it's okay. Let's have a seat."

"No. I want you to come back home with us."

I almost laugh at that statement. The way Miller and wife are looking at me is totally different from how Sam is treating me. I manage to disentangle myself from the little girl's tight grip and I look into her eyes noticing the tears, the sadness and emptiness in them.

I knew it was tough for her when I attended Anthony's memorial service. I was still recovering and everyone was shocked to see me at the church. I arrived late because Daniel didn't want me to attend. His parents talked to him and he agreed at the last minute. When the church door opened, everyone's eyes turned towards me. I thought they were going to kick me out.

Connor stood up and walked towards me, he pushed my wheelchair right to the front and I was able to look at Anthony for the last time. It was an open casket. He was dressed in an expensive designer suit, something that he didn't like at all, he always said it was a waste of money. He looked peaceful like he was resting.

I didn't know what to do, how to react, what to say to him, how to act like everything was alright. I still had no idea what he had done to me or how we ended up here; me on a wheelchair and him in a casket. Daniel had told me his version of the story but I still felt like there were gaps that I couldn't fill. I wished he could wake up and fill them. I wanted to blame him for leaving me alone to raise Elio by myself.

I found myself speaking to him quietly I still remember what I told him, what I asked him because I didn't get answers. I leaned on the casket trying my best not to break into painful sobs. I shed quiet tears asking him repeatedly why he left me alone with Elio. How was I going to explain it to his son.

I can't remember how long I leaned onto that casket but Connor didn't leave my side. At some point my uncles came and took me out of there. It was then that I realized that everyone's eyes had been on me. Even the priest had stopped giving his sermon.
My whole family was there to support me. I am always grateful for that. The Quezada siblings and my sisters held on to me as I broke into quiet sobs when I saw his body being lowered into the ground. I didn't stay for the funeral. Lissa and Javier took me home. Daniel and Chris were not around when I got back home and a part of me was grateful because I didn't want Daniel to see how broken I was.

I held onto Elio and cried myself to sleep. Lucky enough, he was asleep too and he didn't notice my pain. The Millers had not said anything the entire time. It was only Connor and Sam that spoke to me that day. They had comforted me.

"Cute girl, where is our baby?"

Our baby? Wow Sam.

Charles Miller cleared his throat and spoke up,

"Y'vania. We are not here to start a war. It's high time we end the ongoing one."

Why is this man talking as if this is an easy thing to do?

I sit back in silence not finding anything to reply. He goes on,

"Y'vania. We are here to reconcile. We are family. You were the only woman that our son truly loved."