Eleven years earlier

I sat on the edge of my father's bed. The once active man now lived mostly sedated. I actually preferred it that way. At least he didn't scare me, like when I would start moaning and screaming at night because of pain. He wore an oxygen mask to help him breathe, his arms were connected to the access that brought the medication to his body, and there were also monitors that beeped all the time. I still don't understand all this very well, what I do know is that he is very sick.

- I know you're going to be all right, Dad," I said as I kissed his cheek.

his cheek.

I took my Teddy bear and lay down next to him, curled up. I was wearing a polka-dotted jacket that went down to my shins, and my hair was down to my back. I fell asleep for a moment, and woke up with his dry cough.

No.

No.

No.

I couldn't stand it, he was clearly in pain. Where was Clarissa? She used to be a caring nurse, but I could clearly see that she no longer took the same care of my father. "Maybe she has given up," I thought as I sobbed softly at the edge of the bed. I felt her hand slowly rest on my back.

- Nicole? - he said in a hoarse voice, letting out another cough.

- Yes, Dad. - I slowly stood up and sat down beside him.

- Don't cry, little one," he said with difficulty. - You were the best thing that ever happened to me, I love you so much.

I closed my eyes as Daddy ran his hand over my face, wiping my tears away.

- You deserve all the love in the world. - Cough. - One day someone will love you so much. And it will be so perfect... So pure. - Cough.

- Please Daddy, stop talking, it's not doing you any good.

- It always does me good, being with you. I'm sorry I haven't been around longer.

- It's okay. - I tried to fake a smile to make him more comfortable.

- It's not, child. I'm sorry... I'm sorry. - He shook himself, and then choked fiercely. The monitor started beeping.

I got up and ran to go after Clarissa. As I got down from the bed, I ran into her, who hurried past me and started to stir the medication. It was as if time passed in slow motion. I could see her screaming, but I couldn't understand anything. I tried to get out, but my feet seemed to be stuck to the floor. My face froze. My eye wandered back to my father. He was white, his eyes were open, and there was blood in his mouth. Dad started coughing up blood.

- What's happening? Daddy! - I screamed, as I cried.

- Get her out of here! Get her out of here!

I don't remember who pulled me out, whether I fell asleep or passed out. I just don't remember.

I woke up in the morning and I was in the same clothes as before. My head hurt. I looked at the dresser, there were some neat black clothes on top. I got up and went straight to my father's room. I pushed the door open. Everything was clean. He wasn't there. The bed was neatly made up with a white sheet. There were no more monitors, nothing. The smell of bleach was so strong it burned my nose. I took a few steps back and bumped into a woman about twenty-five years old, blonde, pretty.

- Hi, I'm Summer," she said as she held out her hand to me.

- Hi, Summer," I said awkwardly. I didn't shake her hand. - Where's Dad? - She closed her mouth in a straight, unfriendly face, and then smiled. - Where is Clarissa? - I said, looking around for her.

- We won't be needing her care anymore.

- But she was looking after my father.

- Your father won't need any more care either.

- Why? Where is my father?

- You're very agitated, young lady. I need you to change. We need to leave," I said gently, but not allowing room for discussion.

I left, went into my room, and changed.

Hours later, we were walking through a garden that I didn't know. I was finding it strange. Where was everyone? Where was Madeleine? Matthew, Summer, and I followed him to an unknown gentleman. He was reading words that I didn't really understand. I felt agonized, not knowing why. My heart began to ache. I just wanted to leave.

I felt cold hands resting on my shoulders. I looked up and Summer was there, with the same warm smile.

- I'm sorry, honey, it's time to say goodbye.

I looked at her, it was obvious that something had happened to Dad, but why wasn't anyone saying anything? She took my hand. I instinctively didn't want to go, it didn't feel good. She pulled me in and I nodded my head in denial.

- Come on, honey, please! - She stared at me.

I gave up and gave in. I walked behind the gentleman who had just spoken, and my eyes ran to my father. He was lying in a black coffin, his eyes closed. His face was peaceful, there was no blood or pain.

- Daddy," I called in a low voice, almost in a whisper. - Daddy... - I called again, not sure if my voice came out this time.

- You just need to say goodbye, sweetheart. - Summer looked at me with big brown eyes.

- I don't want to say goodbye. - I looked up at her pleadingly.

- Don't make this difficult. - He held his lips in a thin line, clearly losing patience.

- No," I shouted, causing a few people around me to turn to me. - Daddy, wake up! Let's go home! - I tried to shake him off. My hands were blocked. - Let me go! - I looked up, as Matthew held me. - Please, Matthew! - I pleaded. Tears streamed down my face.

- I'm sorry, Nicole. - He didn't even look me in the eye. They started to lower the coffin. I panicked. How could they have put him there? - Daddy! Come out of there! Daddy, please get up!

I managed to get loose and reach the coffin. Sobs came out of my mouth. Matthew grabbed me again and put me on his shoulders, I hit him. I screamed, but it was no use, he was taking me away from my father.

- Please, Matthew, call Madeleine! She'll get my father out of there!

- I'm sorry Nicole," I heard him whisper. - I'm so sorry.