Rough Patch

3

Tyler Joseph

"Id love to tell you all about him." I smile. I grab the picture frame and sit down on the couch. I pat the spot next to me for Ellie to come sit down. Jenna sat in the chair right across from us.

"So, Ellie, this guy right here is my best friend Josh. I knew Josh for a very very long time. We first were just friends but then we both really liked music." I start.

"Just like me and my friend Anna! We both love to listen to music!" Ellie says excitedly.

"You're right! Just like that. Josh knew how to play the drums. He was very good and I knew how to play piano."

"You're really good at that daddy! Did you play your mini guitar too?"

"Yup! I knew how to play my mini guitar which is called a ukulele. Josh and I started making our own music. We would write our own songs. People started liking us and we started getting popular."

"Taylor Swift is very popular! She's one of my favorite singers. Were you as popular as her?"

"Maybe not that popular but we were getting there. We started doing concerts like what Taylor Swift does."

"We went to one of those! You did that? In front of a gazillion people?"

"Not at first. First we played for about 12 people. That's how many people were at your birthday party when you turned 5 so it was like I was singing at your birthday party. Then we started playing for a lot more people. And soon one of our songs became popular and was on the radio so we started playing for thousands of people!"

"Woah! Why don't you do it anymore?"

"Well, you know how I've been kind of sad?"

"Yes."

"You know how you haven't ever met Josh?"

"Yeah."

"Josh got into an accident when you were one year old. He passed away. You'll understand when your older but it's very hard on me because he was my best friend. I couldn't go on stage and sing anymore because it was only me and josh on stage and he wasn't there anymore."

"So that's why you always sit in your room? Because your sad that Josh isn't here anymore?"

"Ellie, I'm sorry that I haven't done fun things with you very much. You do know I love you right?"

"I know, Daddy. I love you too! You're just sad right now. It'll be better."

"Okay, sweetie. I'm going to go take a shower and I'll be back down. Go play with mommy for a little bit."

I quickly leave the room and go upstairs to the bathroom. I shut the door and lean against the sink and let out a breath. I stare at my sad looking reflection in the mirror. This is the most of spoke about Josh since his passing and it was a lot to handle. I had to do this for my daughter. She needed her dad.

//-//
I get out of the shower and go to change into some new clothes to relax for a little bit. I get in the bedroom and Jenna is sitting on her bed reading a magazine.

She looks up at me as I rummage through my drawers for some sweatpants and a shirt.

"You did a good thing for Ellie today." Jenna says. I begin changing into my new clothes and go sit down next to her on my bed.

"It was hard." I sigh.

"I know but it's a step. A big step actually. You didn't know this but almost everyday while you were laying around and being sad Ellie would always ask me to tell her about you. What you liked to do, what your favorite color is, who you best friend is. I always told her something's but other things I told her to tell you but she never wanted to because she knew you were sad."

"I had no clue." I begin to say.

"I know and that's ok. You know now. You can be a good father to her. I know you've always been a good father you just needed a little nudge of encouragement to get you going."

"Thank you for that."

"I'm always here for you, Ty. Now why don't you go ahead and say goodnight to Ellie."

I leave the room and go over to Ellie's. She's sitting up on her bed playing with her dolls.

"Hey sweetie. I'm just coming to say goodnight." I smile and sit down on the edge of her bed. Ellie sets her doll down and puts a hand on my face.

"Daddy, you still look sad." Ellie frowns.

"I'll be sad for a little bit but I'm a lot happier now."

"Is it okay if I ask you an important question?"

"Of course!"

"So at kindergarten Mrs. Doran is having a bring your mommy or daddy to school day. They have to come in and talk about their job. I know you might not be working right now but you told me you were like Taylor Swift when I was a baby. Could you come and talk to my class in two days?"

"I would love to do that for you. I think it would be very fun!"

"Thank you daddy! Your the best." Ellie smiles big and wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. I kiss the top of her head and she lays back down.

"Good night Ellie." I smile.

"Good night Daddy." Ellie smiles as she curls up on her bed and closes her eyes falling to sleep quickly.