Aunt Adelle woke me the next morning and I was glad that I'd had the presence of mind to lock my door after Daddy had left. It was an old habit and it served me well as she knocked on the door, shrilly shouting out my name. "Loryn! Loryn, get up!"
I struggled awake. "Okay, Aunt Adelle! I'm awake!"
"Well, open this door!"
I leapt out of bed, trying to pull my pajamas on. "I'll meet you downstairs. Have Daddy make you a cup of hot chocolate."
"Your dad isn't here. He called me to come give you a ride."
"W-What?" My heart shriveled in my chest. "He's already gone?"
"Said he had to make a batch of caramels early for a customer and he didn't want to wake you." Tears pricked my eyes and I bit my lip, trying not to cry. "Are you going to open this door any time soon?"
My bags were waiting for me downstairs since I'd packed the day before so it was as simple as taking a shower and enduring my aunt's loving advice on the ride of the airport. The flight back was painful. I spent a few minutes in the bathroom, sobbing and wondering what I was going to do about my broken heart. Back at school, everyone offered condolences, thinking that my red eyes and disheveled appearance was due to Mom's passing but only I knew the truth. I went to my room and sat on my bed for awhile, too numb to really care about unpacking.
Two days later, I finally got around to unpacking my suitcase and was surprised to find a fancy-wrapped box of chocolate-covered cream centers with a note from my Dad. At first, I didn't want to read it but my curiosity got the better of me.
Hi, baby girl,
Do you have any idea how hard it was to leave this morning without seeing your face or making love to you again? It was excruciating and I knew that I'd never be able to make it through saying goodbye to you with Adelle there so I chose the coward's way out. I want you to know that I'm hurting as much as you are and I'm looking forward to being together with you again. See you at the end of your semester.
Daddy
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