Dad’s POV
“She looked oddly familiar… How do I know her?” She glanced up, and for a moment our eyes locked...then her eyes widened and she started running. That’s her. I know it is. I’ve been looking for years. But, they said she was dead. She’s dead. I’m imagining things again. But, why’d she run?! Maybe she just thought I was a creepy old man staring at her. That makes more sense. Charlotte is dead. She would’ve been 16 now. I blame myself every day. If I would’ve paid attention, listened to her more, asked her how her day was. Just maybe she wouldn’t be gone. It’s been 2 years and I’m missing her like crazy. I would’ve been able to stop her before she ran away. I would’ve known she was getting bullied and stopped her. I faintly hear the waitress trying to get my attention so I look up. “Sir, I said would you like to hear our specials today?” I quickly stutter out “Uh no, no thank you I-I have to go” then rush out the store for fresh air. Opening my eyes I see her. Sitting on a nearby curb, crying. Should I run over there or should I leave her all alone?

Charlotte’s POV
It was him I know it is. Leave. Everything in me is screaming to leave. I can’t be back in that house. I can’t let him take me back. I left 2 years ago. I was tired of being bullied. I started in 4th grade. Children are cruel. They cut my long blonde hair because they were jealous of it. They made me believe I was never going to be anything in life. The teachers told me I was dumb. I wasn’t dumb, I was just dyslexic! Yeah, I have a hard time differentiating between P’s and D’s and sometimes words would blend into one another. But, I am not dumb! My parents where work-aholics and as time went on I figured out how to pretend not to be hurting and like everything was fine so they wouldn’t suspect anything was going on at school.

I wanted them to pay attention to me. But, at the same time resentment started to build up and I started to ignore them just as much as they ignored me. They thought it was just a “phase” but it was more than that. They just didn’t recognize that. So here I am. Sitting on a curb outside of a diner, holding a picture of my mom, dad, and I back when everything really was fine. Crying and praying for it to go back to how things used to be. I hear footsteps, but legs won’t move. I left for a reason, but maybe now I’m tired of running.

Dad’s POV
Running over to the curb I see her moving as if she’s trying to get up and leave. So I start screaming at her “CHARLOTTE! I’M SO SORRY! YOUR MOTHER MISSES YOU, HONEY, I MISS YOU!” I’m exhausted but my adrenaline and love for Charlotte is driving me to keep going! I finally reach her and I grab her in my arms. Praising the lord for bringing my little girl back to me.

We finally arrive home, were Charlotte belongs, to find her mom cooking and completely oblivious to today’s events. As we walk in, my arm is around Charlotte’s shoulders and her arms are around my waist. “I’m sorry Charlotte. From this day on your mom and I are gonna stop working. I promise Charlie things are gonna be better.” I sweetly say to my beloved daughter. “ I hope so, dad, I hope so.” Charlie replied. I open the door and her mom looks up from the kitchen. With a shocked look on her face, she began to cry and rushes over to rejoice in her daughter’s presence. Charlotte’s happy, I’m happy, and the families’ back together again.