Diary of a Daughter (Based off of "Moments")

Eighteen: Our last day together

I didn't come out of my room that entire day that day. I couldn't believe what Daddy M had done. He had possibly destroyed everything that Maddie had. Sure her father would finally get what he deserved, but her and her mother would probably have nothing.

That afternoon, I heard a knock on my door.

"GO AWAY!" I yelled, thinking it was Daddy M.

But then, the door opened, and Daddy S appeared through the door. He sat down beside me in the bed.

"Em, why are you upset at Daddy M?" Daddy S asked.
"Because he called the cops on Maddie's Dad, and now they're probably taking him away and leaving Maddie and her mom with nothing." I explained.
"That's not gonna happen..." Daddy S assured.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Because Maddie is a child like you, and her mother is well, her mother..." Daddy S explained. "And the rules say that Maddie and her mom must be taken somewhere else and be taken care of."
"Like where?" I asked.
"Possibly another family members house." Daddy S explained. "At least until her mom feels good enough to take care of Maddie on her own, then they'll move into a house of their own."
"Will I still see Maddie at school?" I asked.
"I dunno..." Daddy S shrugged. "It depends on where they take them. But I can assure you, that they're going to be in great hands."

I then became emotional, leaned on Daddy S's arm and cried.

"Why did this have to happen?" I asked. "Why did her dad have to hit her and take her away from the sleepover?"
"Em, the world is an unusual place, filled with people we have no clue about." Daddy S explained. "They might seem nice at first, but then turn out to be cruel, they may seem cruel, but they are actually nice and innocent, like Maddie was, or they might just be nice or cruel altogether, like Maddie's Dad is."

I couldn't help but agree with what Daddy S had said. Maddie did bully me in the past, but only to please her Dad, who was being mean to her. Now I know her as this nice person who is being hit by her Dad.

I then thought about what Daddy S had said earlier, and what Daddy M had said a few nights ago.

"You're right Daddy..." I said. "You and Daddy M are both right..."
"That's my girl..." Daddy S smiled, putting his arm around my shoulder and hugging me tightly. "Why don't we go downstairs and apologize to Daddy M?"

I nodded. Daddy S and I then went downstairs, where Daddy M was sitting on the sofa with Chica. I then went over and laid on his lap.

"I'm sorry Daddy M..." I said. "You were right..."

He smiled and kissed me on the forehead.

"Em, we never would've called the cops if they were only going to hurt her more." Daddy M explained. "I promise you that they're going to take good care of her."
"I know..." I nodded.
---
The next day at school, I noticed Maddie sitting on the bench again. I hesitated, but then went over and sat next to her, not saying a word. After a few moments of silence, she spoke.

"Thank you..." Maddie said.
I looked at her, "For what?"
"For the sleepover." Maddie said. "And for calling the cops."
"Why are you thanking me for that?" I asked. "I thought you would be mad because I took Dad away from you..."
"I thought I would be too..." Maddie said. "But then after mommy and I talked to the cops, we knew right away we would be okay."
"So what will you guys be doing?" I asked.
"Our aunt told us that we could stay with her up north." Maddie said.
"Up North?" I asked. "You mean, you're going away?"
Maddie nodded. "Today's my last day here... I'll be spending the rest of the week packing and heading up there."

I immediately became sad. This was all happening so quickly, and it was hard to believe that after all that went on, this bench would be the last place that we see each other. Then it'll all be gone.

I immediately and unexpectedly hugged Maddie, and she hugged back.

"I'm going to miss you Maddie!" I said.
"I'm gonna miss you too..." Maddie said. "But maybe we can still talk to each other?"
"Yeah. Hopefully!" I said.

Suddenly, the aides called us to get in line by our classes. I took one last look at Maddie and waved at her before going inside to class.

That was the last time I ever saw Maddie.
---

4/7/20

Dear Diary,

Today was the last time I saw Maddie. She's moving to her aunts house up north. I thought I would be upset, but I wasn't. I was actually glad she was going to be with somebody she can trust and that was all that mattered.
Speaking of moving, I can't believe that a month from now I'll be a middle schooler! We'll be graduating from elementary school soon and I can't wait! I wish Maddie could graduate with us!

Em

---
As I think about Maddie today, I begin to feel guilty about not ever keeping in touch with her. Sure we're friends on Facebook, but she is hardly ever on there. But I do know that they eventually moved to live by themselves, and Maddie is living on her own now and going to college in the fall. I really am happy for her.