My Mother Told Me To Stay Behind While She Took My…

Then came the afternoon that changed everything. I came home from school and found Dad standing in the living room with a suitcase by his feet. The house smelled like dust and cold coffee.

He was wearing his work shirt, but the sleeves were rolled up, and his face looked like he had not slept in days. “Dad?” I said, my voice shaking. “What’s going on?”

He walked over and pulled me into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said. “I can’t stay here anymore. It isn’t good for anyone.”

For a second, I felt like I could not breathe.

“But what about Olivia? What about me?”

He pulled back, and his eyes were full of tears. “I love you both so much.

Never forget that. But sometimes love just isn’t enough.”

He kissed my forehead, then walked over to Olivia, who was watching from the hallway with wide, confused eyes. He knelt down and hugged her tightly.

“Be good for your big sister, okay, pumpkin?”