"Daddy, is that really you?"
Just the sound of his voice made Ana uneasy. He sounded distant and far away. As if he were trying to talk to her with a wall between them.
It's me baby girl. Something has happened but everything will be okay. Do you trust me?
"Of course daddy! I always have, why wouldn't I now?"
We won't be able to do the things we used to do anymore. Something bad has happened and I need you to help me, okay?
"What's going on daddy? Where are you? We are supposed to go to the movies tonight. Will you be home tonight?"
Sweetheart, I'm afraid I wont be able to make it. I have to go for now.
"Wait, what happened? Daddy? Where did you go?"
"Anastasia, who are you talking to?"
It was Marabelle questioning the young girl. Why couldn't she just understand without Ana explaining what had happened? She would never believe her anyways so why tell at all? Then again, maybe she should tell her. Just in case it would help to bring daddy home. Who knows, it wouldn't hurt to try right?
"Mommy, it was daddy. He told me something bad happened and he can't go to the movies tonight. He said he needs my help."
"Oh honey... Come here. I know all this is so new and hurts. Believe me, I know. It hurts mommy too. But right now we just need to pull together and be strong. I am so sorry that daddy is gone baby, but there is nothing we can do about that. I'm afraid we are all we have left." Marabelle tried to explain everything in the easiest, least painful way she could.
Why all of a sudden was their little girl acting this way? Marabelle knew that she would take it hard but now she's pretending to talk to someone who wasn't there. What was she going to do? How could she help this beautiful, helpless child to understand and accept? It would take some time and a lot of love and healing.
"Hey mom! I'm home! What's to eat? I'm starving, I didn't eat a thing at Sara's today." Stormie came busting through the front door with an eager smile on her unknowing face. Slowly she came to realize the weird, painful looks on everyones faces as Captain Spencer tried to sneak out the door.
Tipping his hat, "Mrs. Kames, just get ahold of me when you are ready. Have a nice day ma'am. Kids..." as he tipped his hat one more time.
"Uh mom, what the hell was all that about?" Stormie demanded.
"Stormie, you will watch your language in front of your sister. Listen, we need to talk and you are going to sit and listen. And you are going to listen good for once. Am I understood?"
"Wow, what's the big dealy-o? Yeh, ok I'm listening."
Marabelle took a deep breath to prepare her for what needed to be done. She had to let her daughter know. There was no way around it and no real easy way to do this so she just went for it.
"Your father was in an accident today. He didn't make it. He won't be joining us for supper tonight... Or any other night..." Marabelle broke down again. This time in front of both children and she couldn't stop. Instead, Stormie and Anastasia joined their mother on the floor in a heaping pile of sobs and tears. Sadness filled the kitchen like fog over a pond. Thick and heavy as what remained of their family started to fall apart...
