text: Summer is going to be over in just a few days, and I am glad. Most kids on the block are upset about school returning, but I'm not school is like my Paradise to me. I get to learn, I get to be around people and most of all I'm not home. I rush home after playing outside all day my friends. Street light came on and the sun began to go down, I knew then I better hit the road running. Sally, my friend Ashley hollered where you going so fast? Not even turning around I hollered I got to go can't be late, and off I want. Not even realizing it but we had ended up on the other side of town. It was going to take a miracle for me to be home before Mom, and I wasn't sure you would happen. I ran as fast as I could hardly looking for cars, I actually had jump on one cars hood I didn't even see it. Man driving slammed on his break and blew his horn yelled out hey kid what are you going. Turning around quickly I glanced at him and said I'm sorry, and then I ran as fast as I could the rest of the way home. Thankfully as I reached front porch mom had turned onto a road. I couldnt see her, but I can hear the old Volkswagen. I hurry in and started my homework, as I prayed she wouldn't had noticed. The front door slam wide open banging into the wall and knocking the picture down. Sally, Sally May where the heck are you?? Shaking my head and rolling my eyes, I yelled back in here mother, in here doing my homework like I'm supposed to everyday . Door slams shuts and mom comes wobbling in. Well mother I can see your drunk again, so I suppose I have to cook dinner tonight. What do you mean by that little girl, you don't think I do nothing for you? Is that where you going around telling everybody? Her face started turning red and a tear fell down from her eye. Sally you better not be going around spreading rumors about me, because if it gets back to your father he will never come home. Mom, dad has been gone for 5 years now I don't think he's coming back. After the words came out I felt horrible, but it was the truth and mom needed to hear it. She stared at me for a few with a few more tears falling and As Mom stumbled away, I sat there remembering the last time I saw my father. Him and Mom upstairs arguing, or like they like to call it adult conversation. I was downstairs watching cartoons getting ready for school, trying to do my hair making sure it's pretty because it was picture day. Mom never bought them but I still want to look pretty for the year book. He came downstairs patted me on the head and said I have to go get a loaf of bread. As he walked out he told me he loved me and I told him I love him, something we did every time we left the house. A couple minutes later my bus pulled up, mom walked downstairs as I was going out the door. I stopped and turned to tell her I love her, but of course she just shook her head and said goodbye Sally. I close the door behind me a little hard and usual, trying to leave me feelings and emotions at the door. I walked onto the bus and sat next to my friend Ashley, I knew then I was going to be okay. School seem to fly by that day, and before I knew it the dismissal bell rang. I got my things and walked to my bus and daydreamed the whole way home. I was shocked when I got home and mom was there. She usually at her friends or down at the local bar. The house is a mess and Mom was sitting at the table crying. I asked what was wrong, but she just gleared at me. I went to my room to do homework. Once I was done I walked downstairs to see if there was anything for dinner. Of course not I should be used to it by now though, so I popped two corn dogs in the microwave. After I eat I tried to clean up the house a little bit but I was just so tired. So I decided to take a shower and get ready for bed, that way, the last day of the week could get here. And hopefully the weekend will go just as fast. Ever since the day Dad left nothing has ever been the same. Mom stayed in her room for months. I was only 10 and Dad left but I had to wear real fast and take care of the whole entire house and Mom. Mom couldn't work cause she was so depressed, she couldn't even get out of bed. I often lay away at night wondering what had happened. Wondering when my dad was and if he thought about us too. Nobody knew that he had left, when someone ask me I always said, he went on business trip. I'm sure after awhile they didn't believe me and eventually they stopped asking. When I was 13 years old, I got me a job babysitting some kids in the neighborhood. That way I can be away from home more, and make some money. I things got very hard once dad left. For the first couple years I was sad and and pray for him to come home. But as time went by, my sadness turned into anger. I was angry he left and angry he didn't take me. But instead he walked out on me and hasn't looked back. The day he left I not only lost one parent, I lost two. My mom became someone I didn't even recognize. Back in the day my mom was the most beautiful woman around. Her hair was always done and makeup on every time she walked out the house. Everyone knew her, especially by the red lipstick and red high heels she wore. Every guy wanted her and all the girls were jealous. Mom didn't even act like she knew or she just didn't care. I wish she was like that again. We went to the grocery store one day and usually mom sat in the car. But on this day mom felt better and wanted to go in, which made me very happy. After getting everything we needed, we headed over to the checkout line. of course there was only two open so the line was long. As I stood there I couldn't help but to hear the two ladies behind us. Judy look isn't that Miss Miller? I don't know Beth, it kind of looks like her. Beth, I can't believe the woman all the men wanted is now at the grocery store looking like that. She should be ashamed of herself come out public like that. You do know Judy that her husband left her, and she hasn't been the same since. I made a little cough clearing My throat, the way to make them realize that I can hear them. Suddenly my heart started breaking that I stood there staring at my mom. They were right mom had let herself go. Dad walking out had totally destroyed mom and I didn't even realize it. I was too self-centered and to worry about myself to think about what mom went through. I started remembering all the times but I was mean to Mom I felt horrible. On the ride home I didn't say a word, I just sat there admiring the woman and I gave me life. Afte we got all the groceries in, I told mom to go upstairs and take a nice long hot bath. That I wanted to cook her dinner and for her to relax. Mom just looked shook your head and walked away, she really hasn't spoken much in last 5 years. I honestly can't even remember where her voice sounds like sometimes. After dinner we went inside on the porch just staring into the Forest that was in front of her house, both of us were quiet I think we just enjoyed the company. All the sudden a calmness came over me and I realized I was blaming the wrong person. Mom didn't walk out dad walked out and he walked out on us both. I did something I should have a long time ago, I grabbed my mom's hand she looked at me and started shaking I felt my heart sink deeper in my chest. Mom is going to be okay I love you. she grabbed me and hugged me as tight as she has in a long time and just cried, I believe we sat there crying for 2 hours. For the next three years it was just me and Mom. Mom went back to her old ways, and she was stunning once again. We hardly ever talk about dark cloud that was over us, the situation with my dad. I learned to put him out of my mind and not even think of him. It was easier that way to act like he didn't never exist, then to sit there wondering why he left. Mama she started dating another guy from one town over, and she was finally happy. I finally reached my last year of high school and I was so excited to start my new adventure and go look for colleges. Everything was great life was happy. Then one day when we were rehearsing for our graduation, a guy appeared out of nowhere. He was tall and thin. Headful gray hair and he looked really really rough. I've never seen him before, and I wasn't sure why he was there. I see the principal talking to him and as he did he kept looking up at me. It made me wonder what they're talking about and then again I was too excited for graduation. I finished setting the stage and getting everything ready for the night. That is when the man and Mr Brock the principal walked over. Miss Miller yes Mr Brock how may I help you? I asked in a kinda shy voice. Mr Brock took a deep breath in and said Sally this is your father, and he would like to be invited to the graduation. My mouth dropped wide open the fly could have landed in there. I was speechless and all I could do is stare. Miss Miller, Miss Miller, Miss Miller and a louder voice. I heard you Mr Brock but I, I...... I couldn't even finish my sentence I just ran out. I was angry yet happy, finally after eight long years my father was there. All I wanted to do was hug him, then I suddenly thought of mom. What would this do to her to see my father after all this time. Would she be okay would you go back to her depressed days and let herself go again. And why was Dad there was he here just for today, was he going to stay? So many questions rather than my head, but I did not want to think of them cuz tonight was my graduation and I wanted it to be wonderful. I didn't tell Mom that I had seen dad or that he wanted to come to the graduation. I didn't want to upset her and I really wanted her to come, because she has been there since day one. All through graduation I was nervous before I did not know if my dad would just show back up,. Or if he had walked away again. After graduation mom took me out to eat, just telling me how proud she was and that she was grateful to have me in her life. Then mom said Sally, what is wrong with you is there something you need to tell me? No Mom I'm fine I promise. Well I did not just become your mother yesterday I know when something bothering you. So when you're ready to talk I'm here to listen. We finished our dessert and we headed home. As you pull up into the driveway there was somebody sitting on her front porch. My heart sank and I grab mom's hand to make sure she was okay. She looked over at me, and give me a smile as she said darling I will be fine. As we walked to the porch dad stood up mom walked past him, as she got to the door she stopped for a moment and turned around, Mr Miller nice to see you did you bring the bread? I couldn't help but chuckle for after 8 years mom was worried about the bread. Dad got his head cuz he already knew, and as he walked away I yelled out hey Dad don't forget the bread next time.