Claudia was returning home. She was returning from Woodsen University, where she had taken Emmalin. In the meantime, Michael phoned his daughter to get some news. Emmalin answered.
E: Yes hello?
M: Hey young girl!
E: Dad!
M: Is everything ok honey ?
E: Yes dad, great. The dorm is awesome and I'm already invited to a party tonight.
M: Already? I see that the university is good.
E: I had the team meeting for Hockey. I can not wait to start Daddy year if you knew.
M: I do not doubt it. How was the goodbye with mom?
E: Good. But I saw that mom was not doing very well.
M: It must be hard for her to leave you far from home.
E: Yes, she stayed until the end, and she would have wanted to buy some more things to come back and bring them to me again before I leave.
M: I'm going to call her on the computer later when I have more time for her. I'll talk to her to reassure her and I'm sure it'll be fine.
E: Dad, I understand that mom is having trouble. Since the departure of Amanda I saw that over time she did not let go. She wanted to know where I was, what I was doing. I will have listened to her I will have stayed close to her at home almost every day.
M: Emmalin, you know it's because she needed it and she wanted to enjoy you again.
E: Yes I know, I do not blame him. I am your last daughter and she must feel fears and anxieties. That I do not come to see her anymore or I do not know ...
M: Listen honey, I'm taking care of your mother. Take care of your studies, hockey. Do not forget to send him news, to call him. And each one, we will find our place in this new life each one of our side.
E: Okay. How are you?
M: Yes I got used to my tent again. I miss you and your mother terribly. And I would have loved to be here.
E: I know daddy. But you did not choose to be away from us. We do not blame you.
M: I know ...
Emmalin heard some noise in his father's phone.
E: Dad, is there a problem?
M: I have to leave you Emmalin, I have an emergency.
E: Okay, go for it. And pay attention to you. I love you dad.
M: I love you too my treasure. See you soon.
They hung up. For her part, on her way home, Claudia saw the pictures of her daughters in the entrance. Nostalgia won her. She put the picture back, turned on herself. She was now alone in this big house. Tears came to his eyes. But she took her breath and went to store her things. She ate alone, and went upstairs where the rooms were desperately empty. She sat down on the bed and took her head in her hands. She heard her computer beeping downstairs. She rushed to her desk and opened the conversation. It was Michael.
M: Hey honey ...
C: Michael!
M: I have a few minutes in front of me so I take the opportunity to take the time to reach you.
C: You were right to do it, thanks honey.
M: How was Emmalin's comeback?
C : It's very good. She quickly got used to the places. I arranged her room well.
M: I wanted to be here so much. I can not imagine that our youngest is at university.
C: The house is empty without you two.
M: I know.
Michael saw Claudia blame him.
M: And you ... how are you?
C: Hum ...
Claudia remembered the promise made to Michael. They had to say everything in order not to gnaw their minds.
M: Claudia ...
C: I blame it ... I feel abandoned.
M: Honey, you know that's not true.
C: I know but ... Amanda was kidnapped, you're on a mission and Emmalin is now a young adult and she's not here anymore.
M: I know that we will have to adapt. But you know when I'll be back, we'll have to get used to a life of two instead of three.
C: You're right. But with Amanda's departure, I overprotected her and ...
M: What has earned some crises elsewhere ...
This sentence snatched a laugh from Claudia.
C: Oh that yes. But I realized that I did not cut the cord as they say. I became attached to her and I feel that I will not see her again either.
Claudia lowered her head.
M: Claudia, Emmalin left to study and take his adult life in hand. You know, she'll be back for the holidays, and then for her second semester holidays for revisions of her partial ones. Call here if you have trouble ...
C: No, I do not want to bother her or at least bother her. She must want to hear everyone except her mother ...
M: Listen I phoned him to wish him a good comeback and good luck. She took the time to chat with me. I told her that it might be hard for you and she said she had seen that you did everything to stay up as long as possible and that because she was our last daughter, it must have been all the more complicated. Emmalin grows up and matures; she understands things as an adult. Call here, tell him your feelings. I'm sure our daughter will find the words to make you feel better.
Claudia gave Michael a simple smile. He could always find the right words, even thousands of miles away. But she knew he was right. She will call Emmalin tomorrow.
C: You're right. Thank you.
M: Sa will not worry you.
C: I miss you so much ...
M: Just like here sweatheart. I admit that it's difficult since my return to the field. I have some apprehensions.
C: It's normal honey, but you'll take back your marks and you know that I believe in you and that I trust you.
M: I love you so much if you knew.
Michael turned his head, we spoke to him.
M: I'm sorry I have to go. I'll call you back as soon as possible.
C: Okay my heart. I love you.
M: Me too. See you soon.
They hung up each on their own. This call did them good for both Claudia and Michael. But Claudia did not have time to think, her phone was ringing. It was Denise. Molly was not well, Claudia joined Denise at the hospital.