Dear Dad

March 18th

March 18th,

            I woke up about an hour before Anabella did.  I didn’t want to wake her; she looks like a happy little angel when she sleeps.  The sun had just started to rise when she opened her eyes.  She looked up at me and stroked my face.  I told her I would stay with her and I did.  I would never leave her.  ‘Good morning,’ she signed.  I kissed her cheek and whispered, “Good morning.”

            We went downstairs into the kitchen.  There was still no sign of her dad.  “I’d cook you breakfast, but I set cereal on fire, so...”  I joked with her.  She pointed to one of the seats at the island telling me to sit down.  I watched as she pulled out a pan and whipped up homemade pancakes like it was nothing.

            After breakfast we sat in the living room and talked.  I told her I wasn’t going to leave her until her dad came home.  It was half past three when he finally came back.

            The door squeaked open and slammed shut.  “Anabella,” he called out.  Anabella ran into the other room.  I got up and followed her.  “Oh there you are Anabella,” he said when he saw her.  He had clearly been out drinking all night.  He looked like he was drunk and had passed out in the garbage.  His clothes were all torn up and dirty, his hair was messed up and he wore no shoes.  “Oh look.  Rhyder’s here,” he said in a happy daze.  He pointed at me and smiled.  “Hi Mr. Risome,” I said waving to him.  His finger went from me to the stairs.  “I think I’m going to go to bed.”  He stumbled to the stairs and made his way up.  He got to his room, waved to us one last time and disappeared inside.  ‘I’m sorry.  He’s obviously been drinking.’  Anabella signed.

“It’s alright,” I told her.  I hugged her and started towards the door.  I made it halfway and then turned around.  “If he’s ever out all night again, call me.  Even if it’s two in the morning, call me.  You got that?”

‘Yes sir,’ she signed.  I kissed her and then left.