Excellent Daddy left ... now me? Flash Fiction : Time Marches On by Begin Again Artwork by VMarguarite at FanArtReview.com

Standing in the doorway, Sandy surveyed her room. Mr. Hadley, a tattered bear with only one eye, rested on her pillow. Pictures of her parents and the day at the beach were taped to the dresser mirror. The jewelry box with the locket Daddy gave her before he went away sat on the table near the bed. This was her sanctuary, the place she hid when Mommy cried. Taking a deep breath, she moved across the room. Kneeling down, she pulled the suitcase from under the bed. Flipping the locks, she opened it, letting the lid rest against the bedspread. It was time to pack. With suitcase in hand, Sandy glanced around the room before closing the door. Her mother waited at the bottom landing. Their eyes met. Sandy could feel her heart pounding against her chest. They stood there, neither saying a word. The driver of the car in the driveway honked the horn. Sandy started to leave, but hesitated, taking one last look, certain she saw a tear in her mother's eye. Just ask me not to go. Tell me you need me to stay. The car horn honked again. Turning, she walked outside. A torrent of tears slid down her mother's face. Rolling his eyes, Sandy's teenage brother shook his head. "Mom, she'll be okay." "I know, but she's my baby. She's growing up too fast." "Give me a break. She's just going to Grandma's for the weekend. It's not forever." Waving as the car pulled out of the drive. Sandy pressed her tiny five-year-old nose against the window, whispering, "I'm not Daddy. I'll be back, Mom." Recognized Author Notes This flash fiction is meant to lead the reader to believe an older child is leaving...and in the end it really is a small child. The key clues are in the first paragraph where it says Daddy went away and Mommy cries a lot and the ending where she whispers she'll be back because she's not daddy. Any suggestions to eliminate the confusion would be appreciated. Thanks...

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