The New Girl

Chambers

Ayden

Saying goodbye to my father is always the worst part of him coming to visit.

I love what he does for our country - it's brave and admirable. But, I'm selfish. I want him to myself - to my family.

The service awaits, though, and I have to go through another goodbye. It's gets harder every time, but no goodbye will ever be as painful as the first time he left.

Two weeks ago my dad finally told us why he's been so busy. He's going overseas and doesn't know how long he will be done for.

Now today, he's leaving us. I have to say goodbye to my dad today. I don't know when I'll see him again or, worst case scenario, if I will ever see him again.

Everyday I'll be wondering if my dad is alive.

"Dad..." I frowned. He was in a pair of camouflage pants and a plain, forest green t-shirt that clung to his chest. The duffel bag sitting on the floor by the door only made this situation seem all the more real.

My dad is leaving. I'm not going to see him anymore.

"Don't go, Daddy." My 5 year old sister begged my dad, tears streaming down her small cheeks. He picked her up and held onto her tightly.

"I'll be back home to visit soon." He promised us all.

This isn't fair.

Mom pulled me over to my dad with her and we had a group hug in the foyer of our 4 bedroom home.

"I love you all." Dad's whisper was muffled as he kissed the top of my mom's had. She was clearly fighting tears, but trying to remain strong for Audrey and I.

She didn't need to. I'm a 7th grader, I'm not doltish - this situation we are in is clearly heartbreaking.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Jase." Mom replied, a single tear cascading down her cheek. Dad wiped it away with his thumb, a frown on his face.

The door busted open and interrupted our family moment, but I was thankful for the interruption. Seeing my mom cry hurt more than I thought.

"Sorry," Bennet immediately apologized when he realized they busted in at an emotional moment. "We just wanted to say goodbye before you left."

Colton and Dakota also stepped through the doorframe, appearing distraught.

My dad has always been a significant role in all of our lives. It's hard for all of them to see him leave.

My best friends said their emotional goodbyes to my dad. Before he walked out of our home, he gave my family one last bear hug.

"I'll be back, I promise you." My dad assured us. "Everything is going to be okay one day."

Glancing over his shoulder one last time, my dad picked up his duffel bag and closed the door softly behind him.

Audrey burst out into sobs again the second the door shut. Mom picked her up and rubbed her back soothingly.

I don't think I have ever felt as empty as I did right then.

"Ayden." My dad's voice snapped me out of my daze.

"Sorry," i murmured. "What'd you say?"

Audrey and my mom were at a therapy session for her BPD, leaving my dad and I home alone.

"I asked how your football season treated you." He repeated.

"We did pretty good. Our record was 11-4-5."