I Am Here.

six - thirty minutes

"Mom, can you tell me the surprise now?!"
Simone begged, jumping up and down.

Tori stirred the spaghetti they were eating, before walking away and grabbing Simone's hand.

"Come with me."
She took Simone to her room, sitting them both on her bed.

"So, you know that mommy loves you so much, and that I'd do anything for you, like anything."
She told her.

"I know mom, you tell me all the time."
She said impatiently.
"What's wrong?"

"Grandma told me that you've been crying every night, about dad?"
She asked.

Simone let out a light sigh, playing with her pink painted finger nails.

"Why didn't you come to me?"
Tori asked.
"Were you scared, that I was gonna be mad?"

She shook her head.
"No. I just wanted to know where he was. He's been gone for a really long time, and sometimes I just get sad."
She frowned.

Simone sniffled, a tear falling down her cheek.
"I just want to see him. But he's never here. And I just miss him. And all my friends have dads, but I don't know where mine is."
She cried.

Tori pulled her into a hug, hugging her as she sobbed into her arms.

"Oh my love, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."
She told her, a tear falling from her eye.

"I didn't know that you felt like that."
She rocked her as her cries subsided.

They both sat on the bed in silence, enjoying each other's presence.

"It's okay, it's not your fault that he's on vacation."
She sat up.

"But, I was just wondering if I could write him a letter? So he could read it–"

"Simone–"

"Mom, please? Just one? It'll be really short–"

"Simone, just stop."
Tori shook her head, making Simone tear up again.

"I know you wanna talk to him. And I know it's hard. But I promise, I'll make it better, okay?"
She comforted.

"How?"
Simone asked.

"Well, I'm gonna tell you something, but I need you to promise me one thing."
She asked.