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She glances up, a forced smile on her face. “No, sweetie. Everything’s fine.”
My brow furrows. “You didn’t know Dad was going out of town again today?” I confirm.
She tilts her head. “You, little monster, are too clever for your own good.” She sighs. “No, I thought he was back today for your birthday.”
I purse my lips. “Dad said he has to go on another trip.”
Mom waves her hand in the air and smiles. “I’m sure he forgot to let me know. He’ll text back soon enough.”
I bite my inner cheek, wishing I didn’t feel so worried. My birthday hasn’t started yet, but I sense it will be the worst.
* * *
It’s earlywhen I wake the next morning, eager to open the gift Dad gave me. I jump out of bed in my pajamas and rush down the stairs, noticing Mom is sitting in the living room. As I get around the railing, I see two police officers sitting on the couch opposite.
My heart sinks, and dread tightens my stomach.
“Mom, what’s going on?” I ask, my voice shaking.
She stands and looks at me, her eyes filled with tears. “Ella, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your dad... he’s gone.”
I feel like my world is crashing down around me. “What do you mean, gone?”
“He’s been murdered,” one of the police officers interjects. “We’re here to ask your mother to come to the station to identify the body.”
My mind goes blank as I try to process what they’re saying. My Dad has been brutally taken away from me on my birthday. Tears stream down my face as I crumple to the floor, unable to understand why or how this has happened.
Mom picks me up off the floor and hugs me. “I’m sorry,” she says, tears flooding her cheeks.
“Mam, do you have anyone to look after your daughter while you come with us?”
Mom shakes her head. “No, she’ll have to come.”
I notice the look that the police officers give each other. “That’s not advisable.”
“I want to see my dad.”
Their eyes widen, and the male officer shakes his head. “That’s definitely not advisable.”
Mom’s chin wobbles. “Why?”
“He’s in a bad way,” the female officer says. “One of us will wait with your daughter while you identify the body.”
The male officer steps forward. “Can you follow us?”
Mom nods. “Go and get a jacket and your shoes on, Ella.”
I walk to the front door and slip on my shoes before grabbing my jacket off the peg by the door.
Mom ushers me out and straight into the elevator to the parking lot below. Tears stream down my face like a river. I glance at Mom to find she’s no longer crying, just staring ahead.
The elevator doors open, and she marches toward the car without a word. I rush after her, my heart aching as I’ve never felt so sad. I climb into the car, and she brushes the tears still resting on her cheeks from her face. She turns over the engine and pulls out of the parking lot.
“I can’t believe he’s dead, Mom.”
Her jaw clenches. “Death is part of life, Ella. The sooner you learn that, the better.”
The pain in my chest is so intense. “I won’t see him again?”
